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39
HOUSING.
Conversions.—Section 102 of the Housing Act, 1925, and Section 84 of the Law of
Property Act, 1925, empower a County Court to vary the terms of a lease or other instrument
so as to enable a house to be converted into tenements, notwithstanding any restrictive
covenant there may be to the contrary. Two applications under these Sections were made
during the year relative to the conversion into flats of Nos. 23 and 37 Palace Court.
Plans continue to be submitted to the Council under the drainage bye-laws, relative to the
conversion of premises into tenements. It is probable that a number of other conversions
were carried out in which no interference with existing drainage was involved. Such conversions
would not come within the purview of the department.
Compulsory Repairs.—No notices were served under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925,
or Section 17 of the Act of 1930, but 489 communications were sent to owners drawing
attention to defects liable to be dealt with under these sections. These communications in
most instances resulted in the defects being remedied.
Unhealthy Areas.—No representations were made to the Council during 1930.
Houses Unfit for Habitation.—Following a representation by the Medical Officer of
Health the Council made a Closing Order with respect to No. 2, Westbury Road. The Closing
Order was determined before the end of the year, the premises having been made fit for
habitation.
Underground Rooms.—No rooms were dealt with under the Council's Regulations
pursuant to Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1925, but action was taken under Section 96 of
the Public Health (London) Act 1891 with respect to the illegal occupation of underground
rooms at four premises. In one instance proceedings were instituted against the person
responsible for the letting. The summons was heard in January, 1931, when the defendant
was fined £4.
Tenement Houses.—There were no additions to the Register, the total remaining the same
as at the close of the previous year, viz., 1,406. The inspections made by the two Special
Inspectors numbered 7,055. Particulars of the defects, etc., discovered and remedied will
be found on paegs 41 and 42.
Overcrowding.—During 1930 nine tenements in registered houses were reported to be
overcrowded. In only two instances was it possible to secure the abatement of the overcrowding
before the close of the year, the occupants of the remaining seven tenements being
unable to find other accommodation.
Owing to existing social conditions only extreme cases of overcrowding are dealt with
by official action.
Annual Cleansing.—The usual practice with regard to the selection of special streets for
inspection was followed, a total of 844 houses being inspected during the year. Notices were
served for the cleansing and other work which was found to be necessary.
Common Lodging Houses.—The customary inspection was made by the Sanitary Inspector
of the district of the 5 common lodging houses in Kilburn Lane, prior to the annual licensing
by the London County Council.
During the year 6 deaths from various causes occurred among the occupants of these
houses.
Housing Act : Rent Books.—At one house the rent books were found not to contain
the required particulars. A cautionary letter was addressed to the owner.
Acquisition of a site for building purposes.—On July 22nd, 1930, the Council made an
Order for the compulsory acquisition of a site formerly comprising Nos. 61, 63 and 65,
Brindley Street, pursuant to Part III. of the Housing Act, 1925 and the Housing Consolidated
Regulations, 1925, and application was made to the Minister of Health for confirmation
of the Order. The site consists of an area of approximately 2,088 feet super and is suitable
for the erection of working-class tenement dwellings. It is intended that the tenements
to be provided shall be self-contained flats and shall be used for re-housing families displaced
by housing schemes to be undertaken in the Borough.