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character. In the more crowded and insanitary areas of the
Borough, the necessity of more frequent inspection of house
property is urgent, to level up all houses to a fair sanitary
standard as well as to check overcrowding. Property has its
rights as well as its duties, and it is my practice in dealing
with insanitary houses to write to the owners concerned to
meet me on the property and to discuss the measures
necessary to be taken to put the premises into a satisfactory
condition of repair. Every opportunity is given for the
Council's reasonable requirements to be complied with, and it
is understood that unless these are carried out it will be my
duty to advise the Council to take the necessary steps to
enforce them. In this way every opportunity is given the
owner or owners concerned to carry out their duties.
It was found necessary to apply for closing orders under the
Public Health (London) Act, 1891, in respect of Nos. 7, 9 and
11 Livingstone Road, the premises being unfit for human
habitation. Closing orders were obtained and enforced where
necessary.
Houses Let in Lodgings.
In the Borough of Battersea there are a number of houses,
more especially in North-West Battersea, let in lodgings
under circumstances and conditions which render it desirable
in the interests of personal and public health that they should
be registered and inspected at frequent intervals.
By the end of 1907, 123 premises were on the Register,
and no additional houses were placed on the Register during
the year.
The bye-laws were revised in 1904, and having been duly
sanctioned by the Local Government Board, are now in force
in the Borough in 1905. Provisions exist in the bye-laws
(a) For fixing the number of persons who may occupy
a house, or part of a house, which is let in lodgings
or occupied by members of more than one family.
(b) For the registration of houses so let or occupied.
(c) For the inspection of such houses.