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penetrating dampness and absence of food stores are among the many dealt with.
This inspection takes a considerable time and requires great care in order
that legal difficulties may not arise at a later stage in the proceedings. The
Inspector has also to prepare an estimate of the cost by pricing each item.
The Public Health Committee, on being satisfied that the house can be repaired
at reasonable cost, authorises the service of a notice upon the person liable.
Every effort is made to get the works carried out by the Landlord. If this
fails, the Committee authorises the execution of the necessary work and the
recovery of the cost. Tenders are prepared and sent to six builders on the
Council's approved list, firms being selected who are known to be able to
undertake this work at a reasonable price, and the account is paid by the
Council, To avoid the collection of rents, efforts are made by the Borough
Treasurer to secure agreement with the owner that he makes quarterly payments
to the Council. In all cases the expenses plus interest are recovered in a
few years.
-Insanitary Basements. In 1947 the deputed members stated that insanitary
basements should be dealt with, and during the past five years it has been
found that many families are still forced to occupy basements, many of which
could be repaired if the Council had regulations prescribing standards of
fitness for such rooms. To this end, the Council made Underground Room
Regulations on 21st October, and it is anticipated that approval thereto will
be confirmed early in the new year.
Demolition. Great care has had to be exercised in the making of demolition
orders because of the serious shortage of rehousing accommodation. Even so, it
has been necessary to make demolition orders in respect of 56 houses, and of these
15 were derelict and unoccupied and a further 12 were the subject of Dangerous
Structure Notices served by the London County Council. To date 32 houses have
been demolished. With demands upon housing accommodation condition at such a
high level, it is regretted that additional properties cannot, for the present,
be similarly dealt with.