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42
letter is always sent to the landlord concerned, warning him that action
will be taken against him in the event of a recurrence of overcrowded
conditions in the premises.
Fitness of Houses.—The general standard of housing in the Borough
is satisfactory. There has been a very definite improvement in housing
conditions during the past three years. The constant vigilance of the
Sanitary Inspectors has impressed upon both owners and tenants their
determination that every dwelling house shall be maintained in a reasonable
state of repair and that there shall be systematic observance of
cleanliness.
For some years past it was apparent that in a portion of the western
district the houses were old worn out and required constant repairs and
renovations. This area, comprising World's End Passage and courts
abutting thereon, about 1 acre 37 poles in extent, was during 1926,
the subject of an official representation under the Housing Act, 1925.
After full enquiry , the Minister of Health's order confirming the Scheme
was received by the Borough Council in March, 1928.
Under the Scheme, as modified by the Minister of Health, the Council
are to provide upon the site dwellings for the accommodation of 379
Persons of the working classes (approximately the number resident on
the area). Arrangements have been made for the erection (on the cleared
site) of four blocks of buildings comprising a total of 62 flats, of which
5contain four rooms, 37 contain three rooms, and 20 contain 2 rooms.
A provisional estimate of £50,000, to include cost of acquisition, clearance
of the area and the erection of buildings thereon, has been approved by
the Borough Council.
All necessary work in connection with clearance of the area and construction
of new buildings is now in operation.
With the consent of the Minister of Health, the Borough Council
has leased, for 99 years at a nominal rent, to the Chelsea Housing Improvement
Society, Limited—a public spirited and practical body—a portion
of the area. The site at the eastern end (that adjacent to the Embankment)
was cleared first and the construction of the first block of
buildings on this site has now been completed. It has been agreed that
the Society shall have the management of the buildings on completion,
during the process of reconstruction, the Borough Council have made
arrangements for the management of the remaining properties on the
area and the collection of rents, to be undertaken by the Association of
Women House Property Managers, as agents of the Council.
Another area in the north-western district of the Borough contains
many houses which are old worn out and require constant repairs and
renovations. Owing to the very high commercial value of this site,
these houses are rapidly being demolished and being replaced by modern
houses and mansions let in flats commanding high rents.
One of the most unsatisfactory features in this, as in other boroughs
is the presence of a large number of houses let in lodgings. These houses