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51
Houses let in Lodgings.—We are still waiting for the
By-Laws to be made by the London County Council under Sec. 26
of the Housing and Town Planning, etc. Act, 1919, as amended
by Sec. 14 of the Housing etc. Act, 1923.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
424 investigations were made by the Council's Rats Officer, but
as was the case last year only in one case was it found necessary to
serve a notice.
The usual " Rat Week " was held during the first week in
November, when circulars were sent out to all business firms and
factories in the Borough inviting their co-operation and concerted
action towards the extermination of rats and mice.
Chemists and Hardware Dealers were also circularised with
a view to their laying in larger stocks of raticides.
From investigations subsequently made by the Rats Officer it
appeared that in most cases the efforts put forward by the various
owners and occupiers of property in the Borough were carried out
in an enthusiastic and consciencious manner.
Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions
Acts, 1920 and 1923.
The New Act which came into force on the 31st July, 1923,
amends and prolongs the duration of the Principal Act of 1920, until
the 24th June 1925. A Tenant therefore who is charged the increased
rent allowable by the Act is still enabled to apply to the Sanitary
Authority for a Certificate as to whether or not the dwelling house
occupied by him is in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation,
or otherwise not in a reasonable state of repair.
Twenty such applications for certificates were received.
9 certificates were granted ; in the remaining 11 cases the necessary
work was done by the landlord, the certificates therefore being not
necessary.
Other Schedule Offensive Trades.—The Foreign Animals
Wharf being still in the occupation of the Military, the Offensive
Trades generally carried on therein have not yet been recommenced.
Smoke Nuisances.—Twenty-three observations have been
made for smoke nuisances during the year, but in no instance was
it found necessary to serve a Statutory Notice.
Serious complaints continue to be received respecting the
emission of large volumes of smoke, together with dust and fine,
gritty particles, from the chimneys of the London County Council
Generating Station and the London Electric Supply Corporation