London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Fulham 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham Borough]
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lodgings, is not to say that no cases arose where the need for such action was established„
The Council, like most other local authorities without a housing pool for the
purpose, have found that whilst the owners of such premises must be given the alternative
of reducing the numbers of occupiers instead of doing the specified works, and are given
by the legal means of obtaining possession even of rent controlled premises, the provisions
are unworkable except in very prescribed circumstances The provisions set out in
these sections must be regarded as retrograde, and completely divorced from realities.
Improvement Grants (Housing Act 1949 - Section 20) as amended by section 16 of the
Housing Rent and Repairs Act 1954
I am indebted to the Borough Architect and Director of Housing for the following figures:-
| Number of applications received | 7 |
| Number referred to Public Health Department for comment | 3 |
| Number of grants approved | 5 |
Despite the many explanatory pamphlets issued by the Ministry, owners of property do
not appear to take advantage of grants The chief difficulty appears to be the insistence
by the Minister that in cases where conversion into flats is proposed, complete
self containing must be achieved.
The Borough contains many houses of a type which would be considerably improved by
adding the amenities of a fixed bath, additional water-closet, and constant hot water
supply, but quite apart from questions of extra cost, complete self-containing is
virtually impossible.
RENT AND MORTGAGE INTEREST RESTRICTIONS ACTS, 1929-1939
| Applications for Certificates of Disrepair | 3 |
| Certificates of Disrepair issued | 3 |
| Applications refused | – |
| Applications for Revocation Certificates | 3 |
| Revocation Certificates issued | 3 |
| Applications refused | – |
HABITATION CERTIFICATES UNDER SECTION 95(2) OF THE
PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT. 1936
During the year 163 certificates were issued in respect of newly erected and rebuilt
premises in the Borough compared with 59 in 1955.
REHOUSING OF FULHAM RESIDENTS
During the year 40 families were visited by the Health Inspectors at the request
of the London County Council and the Borough Architect and Director of Housing, Fulham
Borough Council, in connection with applications for alternative accommodation. Of this
number 20 cases applied on the grounds of overcrowding and the remainder on medical
grounds and the insanitary condition of their living accommodation.
The 20 families found to be living in overcrowded conditions were reported to the
Director of Housing, London County Council, recommending them for alternative accommodation
on the L. C. C. Housing Estates