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lengthened period. No solution of the problem presented by these
people seems possible, apart from the granting of compulsory powers
for their removal to a suitable institution.
While in the majority of cases the defects found to exist in unfit
houses are due to the lack of proper management and supervision by
owners, from time to time complaints are made by owners regarding the
difficulties they experience in keeping their property in a reasonable
state of repair because of the dirty and destructive habits of a number
of their tenants. It is alleged that, through carelessness or wilful damage
by tenants, repairs and cleansing have to be carried out with unreasonable
frequency and that, as a consequence, it is impossible to maintain even
the minimum requirements of the Local Authority without incurring
financial loss.
Investigation has shown that these statements are often well-founded,
especially in the poorer class tenement lodging houses where no responsible
caretaker or landlord is resident. To lighten the difficulties of the owner in
these cases, effort is made, as far as possible, to keep in view such powers
as a Local Authority has of holding the tenant responsible for defects
resulting from his neglect or default.
Action was taken during the year in respect of 34 dwelling houses
found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit
for human habitation. Closing Orders were made in each of these cases.
The total number of dwelling houses inspected for housing defects during
the year was 1,426, the number found not to be in all respects reasonably
fit for human habitation being 826. The number rendered fit in consequence
of informal action by the Sanitary Inspectors was 612 and the
number in respect of which statutory notices were served requiring defects
to be remedied was 214. It came to the knowledge of the Department
in the course of the year that two underground rooms were being illegally
used for sleeping purposes. Appropriate action was taken in each case.
There were no applications under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage
Interest (Restriction) Acts made by occupiers of dwelling houses
that houses occupied by them were not in a reasonable state of repair.
It is the usual practice when such an application is received to inspect the
house and serve notices for the defects which exist. If these are amended
promptly it is found unnecessary to take further action.
Unhealthy Areas. One representation, already referred to, was made
under the Housing Act during the year. No complaints that areas
were unhealthy have been received.
Byelaws relating to Houses and Houses Let in Lodgings. Existing
byelaws relating to houses are, on the whole, found to be fairly satisfactory
in their working. During the year new byelaws under Section 6
of the 1925 Housing Act, were issued by the London County Council.
These will be of immense assistance in dealing adequately with presentday
housing conditions.
Housing Survey. House-to-house inspection was continued on the
same lines as in previous years. In the course of the year, 105 houses
were inspected and recorded by the Inspectors.