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(4) Principal cases of overcrowding during the year, and action taken.The
majority of cases of overcrowding in 1920 proved capable of being
remedied by a re-arrangement of the people in their rooms. The old
tendency of too many persons sleeping in certain rooms whilst reserving
one room as a best parlour is still common.
(III.) Fitness of Houses.
(1)—(a) General standard of housing in the district.—The general
standard of houses in Hampstead is very good. The bad areas are to
be found in the remains of the old villages now submerged by the
extension of London from the centre outwards. Thus, there exists
single houses and blocks of houses, sometimes in narrow streets or
courtyards; they are old and worn-out houses and cottages which can
no longer be kept in a sanitary condition. Some of these old dwellings
have quite a picturesque appearance and they have obtained consideration
therefor, but sanitary laws and the picturesque often conflict, and when
a house is admittedly worn out it should be pulled down and re-built.
It may not be generally known that in Hampstead we have a number of
houses entirely built of wood, some are hundreds of years old; whilst
another old variety of house is the brick-fronted, but with back and
sides of weather boards. I admit their appearance is "old world," but
so is their sanitation.
Also there exists in the Borough certain streets which were built
by speculative builders and these are a constant source of trouble to
prevent them deteriorating into slum property.
(b) General character of the defects found to exist in unfit houses.—
The general character of the defects found come under two main
headings. Many of the old houses previously mentioned are so crowded
for light and air that they can only be remedied by demolition and
reconstruction. The chief defects found over the bulk of the Borough
are due to general dilapidations, dampness and dirt.
(2) General action taken as regards unfit houses under (a) the Public
Health Acts.—The general action has been limited to that prescribed
under Section 1 and 2, Public Health (London) Act, 1891, followed by
the service of nuisance notices.