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94
I am informed that there is nothing to prevent this procedure
being adopted on a large scale; in fact, this defence of nonresponsibility
of the owner, as the result of repairing agreements,
has been raised on several occasions recently.
The fallowing illustrates a type of case:—
"In answer to your letter of the 8th inst., 1 must kindly inform
you the true facts of the case. In the first place, I do not possess
an agreement as the landlady refused to give me a copy, also that
I do not remember signing to put a new lavatory pan in.
I had to do my own decorations, which cost me just on £20,
as the place was in a filthy condition, also that I am paying 35s.
a week rent, which works out for 12 months at the rate of
£2 3s. Od. a week. You must agree with me that it's scandalous
paying all that money for 3 rooms, and on top of that she is
trying to make me fix a new pan.
It's the first time I have heard of a weekly tenant being
responsible for drains.''
Extract from Agreement signed in above case:—
"I agree and undertake to do all necessary repairs and to
keep the drains, soil and other pipes and sanitary and water
apparatus in good, sufficient and tenantable repair and condition."
SANITARY INSPECTION.
Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
(a)* Complaints of Nuisances.—During the year 1921 there
were 4,638 complaints of nuisances made to the Public Health
Department and investigated by the Sanitary Inspectors of the
Borough. Defects or nuisances were discovered in 3,906 of the
complaints. Notices for the remedy or abatement of these were
served upon the owner or person responsible under the above
Act.