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103
Housing Act and under the nuisances clauses of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, will be found summarised on pp. 106-110.
During 1926 it was only found necessary for the Council, to a
very slight extent, to carry out works of repair to comply with
notices served under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925, in default
of the owner, the expenditure incurred in this connection amounting
to £8 4s. 8d. In view of the heavy expenditure incurred by
the Council in previous years in enforcing their powers under the
Housing Act in default of the owners, it is satisfactory to note that
the vigorous action taken by them in this respect has proved effective
in securing greater and more expeditious compliance with the obligations
imposed on owners of property by the Housing Act, with
correspondingly reduced expenditure of time and money.
During 1926 the right of appeal to the Minister of Health provided
in the Section has been made use of in 4 instances by owners
of property who objected on various grounds to the requirements
of notices under Section 3 served upon them by the Council. The
following are summarised statements in regard to these appeals,
the results of the appeals in all but one case, which is still sub judice,
being in favour of the Council.
6 Cairns Road. Against notice served.
Result. - The notice having been complied with except in
regard to the repair of the roof, the Council concurred
with a suggestion of the Ministry of Health that, in view
of the time that had elapsed since the service of the
notice, action under the notice served be abandoned
and any defects which may still exist be dealt with under
a fresh notice.
53 Eccles Road. Against notice served.
Result. Appeal dismissed for want of diligent prosecution.
10 Este Road. Against notice served.
Result. A Local Inquiry was held when the appellant raised
objection to the requirements of the provision of adequate
light and ventilation to the staircase and the provision
of additional air space to window of front basement room.
He contended, inter alia, that the house came within the
definition of a "Lodging House," and that it should,
therefore, be dealt with under the by-laws relating to
"Houses divided into separate tenements, etc.," made
by the London County Council, the application of which
in respect of structural requirements is postponed until
six months after the expiry of the Rent and Mortgage
Interest (Restriction) Acts. The appeal was, however,
dismissed by the Minister of Health.
58 Winstanley Road. Against notice served.
This appeal is still sub judice, the Local Inquiry not having
been held by the end of the year.