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In three streets in the Notting Dale area there are six houses capable of receiving 229 single
women and eleven houses licensed to accommodate 228 single men. It is difficult to avoid the
conclusion that the presence of this population of 500 persons, who for the most part come from the
lowest ranks of society, must necessarily constitute an effective bar to the progress of social reform
in the neighbourhood where the common lodging houses are situated.
HOUSING, TOWN PLANNING, ETC., ACT, 1909.
This Act came into force on December 3rd, 1909. It is divided into four Parts and six
Schedules, but Parts II. and III., which relate to town planning and other matters, do not directly
affect Kensington. Part IV. is supplemental and contains in Sec. 75 and Schedule VI. provisions
repealing various portions of the Housing of the Working Classes Acts.
Part I. contains provisions of the first importance for securing reasonably suitable housing
conditions for the poorer classes.
Section 14.—By this section the condition implied under the principle Act of 1890 that at the
commencement of the holding a house or part of a house let for habitation should be in all respects
reasonably fit for human habitation is in London extended from tenements let at £20 to include
houses or tenements where the rent does not exceed £40. This condition is not, however, implied
when a house or part of a house is let for a term of not less than three years upon the terms that
it be put by the lessee into a condition reasonably fit for occupation, and the lease is not determinable
at the option of either party before the expiration of that term.
Section 15 establishes a new principle in regard to contracts for letting houses to which Sec. 14
applies. It requires not only that a house should be in repair at the commencement of the holding,
but also that it should be kept by the landlord in all respects fit for human habitation so
long as the holding may last.
Landlord Defined. —For the purposes of Sections 14 and 15 the expression " landlord" may
be briefly defined as meaning any person who after December 3rd, 1909, lets for habitation a house or
tenement at a rent not exceeding £40 for a term of less than three years. The full definition
is contained in Section 15 (7) and must be read in conjunction with Section 14. Notices under
Section 15 may be sent by post in a registered letter to the landlord or his agent at his usual or
last known residence or Dlace of business.
By Sub-section (3) the duty is laid on the Council of requiring the landlord to execute any
work which may appear to them to be necessary in order to render a house fit for habitation.
If their requirements are not carried out the Council may themselves do the work and recover
the cost from the landlord forthwith or by annual instalments extending over a period of five
years.
Section 16. Houses Let in Lodgings.—This section is important and enables the
Council to amend the existing bye-laws as to houses let in lodgings to the working
classes so as to impose any duty involving the execution of work on the owner
within the meaning of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891. Under Section 94
of the same Act the Council are empowered to make bye-laws for enforcing drainage and for
securing the cleaning and limewashing at stated intervals of houses let in lodgings. Since the
duties of providing drainage and of limewashing both involve the execution of work, they may
in future be imposed by bye-law on the owner, " in addition to or in substitution for any other
person having an interest in the premises."
Section 17 simplifies and amends the procedure prescribed by the principal Act in regard
to the closing and demolition of dwellings which are unfit for human habitation.
Underground Rooms.—Sub-section (7) Section 17 forbids the habitual use of underground
rooms as sleeping places unless they are at least 7 feet in height and unless they comply with
regulations to be made by the Council for securing ventilation, light and protection from dampness.