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Although these powers are valuable they are limited, and do not enable any constructional
work to be enforced. The by-laws which are provided for in Section 2G of the Housing Act of 1919
are urgently needed in Kensington, but in spite of the repeated representations of the Borough
Council they have not yet been sanctioned by the London County Council.
The inspections and re-inspections of registered houses let in lodgings in the Borough during
the year 1924 numbered 11,081. The owners of 40 of these houses were summoned for breaches of
the special bylaws or for failure to carry out sanitary works required by the Council.
Houses Let in Furnished Rooms.—These houses constitute the most unsatisfactory and
undesirable form of housing accommodation, and it is therefore pleasing to note that the number
of dwellings of this type in the Borough is gradually diminishing. In 1912 there were 187, and at
the end of 1924 the number was reduced to 83. These 83 are situated in the following parts of
the Borough:—
Norland Ward 46
St. Charles Ward 14
Pembridge Ward 11
Golborne Ward 12
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The average rent charged is 7s. a room per week including the use of such furniture as the
owner provides. In 1924, the total number of inspections of these houses made by the Sanitary
Inspectors was 654.
HOUSE REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS IN HOUSING CONDITIONS.
This subject has received the careful attention of the Council throughout the year, and the
Public Health Committee have devoted a considerable amount of time to the task of securing the
standard of habitability in all houses, particularly those of the " tenement" class, laid down by the
Council in January, 1923.
The work carried out by the Public Health Committee in pursuance of the Council's
Housing Policy can be described briefly under the following headings :—
(1) Registration of houses let in lodgings.
(2) Improvements in houses being placed on the Register.
(3) Improvements in houses let in lodgings which were on the Register on January 1st,
1923.
(4) Closing Orders in respect of underground rooms.
(5) Closing Orders in respect of houses unfit for habitation.
(6) Work under Section 28 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919.
(7) Work under Part III. of the Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
(8) General Summary.
(1) Registration of Houses Let in Lodgings.
In January, 1923, the Council resolved to appoint a Temporary Sanitary Inspector to enable
the inspection, measuring up, etc., to be carried out in those houses proposed to be placed on the
Council's Register of Houses Let in Lodgings. The Inspector appointed commenced duty in the
Golborne Ward on May 1st, 1923, and his work in that year is dealt with in my previous report.
Early in 1924, the Council appointed a second Temporary Sanitary Inspector for the purpose
of speeding up registration, and this officer commenced work in the St. Charles Ward on
April 14th of that year.
During the course of 1924, 576 houses were inspected in detail and measured up, and of thisnumber
476 were placed on the Council's Register. These 476 houses were in the Golborne,
St. Charles and Norland Wards.
The total number of houses registered on December 31st, 1924 was 2904.
(2) Improvements in Houses being placed on the Register.
At the time of measuring up for the purpose of registration, the Temporary Sanitary Inspectors
prepare a list of all defects found and improvements required, and issue Intimation Notices calling
for the necessary repairs and alterations. The details in regard to each house are reported at the
fortnightly meetings which are specially held for this purpose by the Public Health Committee,
who, in necessary cases, give directions for the issue of Statutory Notices with a view to bringing
the houses up to the highest reasonable standard of habitability attainable under present legislation.
The drains are tested in every case and notices served in respect of defects found.
The number of visits paid in 1924 by the two Temporary Sanitary Inspectors was 2,943 and
the notices served are as follow:—
Intimation Notices 671
Statutory Notices 106
Final Notices 68
Summonses 13