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67
Parts of premises unfit for habitation but not capable of
being rendered fit at reasonable expense: —
(a) Closing Orders made 25
(b) Undertakings accepted: —
(i) not to use for habitation 9
(ii) to render fit 4 13
Underground Rooms.
In the year 1934 a survey carried out by the Sanitary Inspectors
revealed that there were 5,273 underground rooms in
the Borough used for living and/or sleeping purposes. In 557
instances the height of the rooms was less than 7 feet.
Prior to the passing of the 1935 Act, action could only be taken
in respect of those underground rooms which were used for
sleeping purposes. Up to 31st December, 1951, Closing Orders
had been made by the Council in respect of 98 underground rooms.
(Two of these prohibited the use of the rooms for sleeping
purposes only.) Undertakings were accepted in 10 instances
not to use the rooms for human habitation and in 38 instances to
render the rooms fit. In addition, 51 underground rooms were
rendered fit as the result of informal action by the Public
Health Department.
Regulations relating to underground rooms were made by the
Council in August, 1939 but, owing to the war, action under
these Regulations was not taken until 1946.