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The general standard of houses in Hornsey is good. As a
rule no great difficulty is experienced in persuading property
owners to carry out necessary repairs. Action in the case of
persistent refusal to undertake work is usually taken under the
nuisance section of the Public Health Act, 1875, and during the
year in only one instance was it found' necessary to take legal
proceedings. The Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restriction) Acts
have proved helpful in securing the carrying out of repairs.
During the year 18 applications under these Acts were received;
the necessary work was carried out in nine instances; three applications
were withdrawn; one certificate was granted and five
refused. The landlord is not always the only person responsible
for the dilapidated condition of dwellings. Instances could be
cited where in a. row of cottages, all owned by the same individual,
several cottages are maintained in a clean and satisfactory
state, whereas others are filthy and in disrepair. In the one case
the tenants are clean and careful and in the other dirty and
careless. The Town Council possesses little or no legal power to
deal with unsatisfactory tenants.

Nearly all milk consumed in Hornsey is brought from considerable
distances and the larger bulk of it is pasteurized.
During the five years' period under review a good deal of legislation
regarding milk has been enacted. Extended powers have
been granted in connection with the registration of dairymen, the
supervision of employees, and the control of the sale of tuberculous
milk. In addition, a scheme for grading milk according
to methods of production and to bacteriological standards has
been introduced.