View report page

This standard applies to every house occupied by the working-classes ; but it does not apply
in any district until the " appointed day " has been fixed by the Minister of Health.
The " appointed day " for Kensington was 1st January, 1937.
The overcrowding survey of 1935 revealed in the borough 2,529 overcrowded families. During
1936 the council, aided by the various housing associations operating in the borough and the London
county council, made an attempt to reduce the overcrowding, but as the new standard did not
operate until 1st January, 1937, efforts were confined to overcrowding existing in borough council
property and houses owned by the associations. This limitation was necessary, because, if the
council abated overcrowding in privately-owned houses, they had no adequate power to prevent
a recurrence before the " appointed day." The number of overcrowded families rehoused in 1936
was 115 (60<>f units) and the number of families overcrowded in the borough at the beginning of
1937 was estimated at 2,428 (11,251 units).
On 1st January, 1937, the Minister issued a circular (1591) on the question of the action to
be taken by local authorities under the overcrowding provisions of the Housing Act, 1936. The
circular stated, inter alia, that " it is the duty of local authorities to see that existing cases of
overcrowding are abated as soon as possible, and that no new cases arise . . . the discharge of
these duties will call for care and thought in organisation and sympathy and understanding in
administration . . . local authorities have by the Act been given considerable powers to secure
the abatement of overcrowding ; these powers are there in reserve, but they will play no part in
normal administration."
During the year the council found no need to resort to legal proceedings, but nevertheless
steady progress was made and 450 cases of overcrowding were abated, comprising 2,256$ units.
Of these, 339 cases (1,725 units) were rehoused by the council and allied housing associations.
The following statement is required to be furnished under the Sanitary Officers (London)
Regulations, 1935:—
The estimated number of families overcrowded at the end of
the year 2,034 (9,234 units).
The number of new cases of overcrowding reported ... ... 56 (239$ units).
The number of cases of overcrowding relieved ... ... 450 (2,256$ units).
The number of cases in which dwelling-houses in respect of
which the local authority have taken steps for the abatement
of overcrowding have again become overcrowded ... ... NiL
As far as Kensington is concerned, section 62 of the Housing Act, 1936, provided that within
six months of 1st July, 1936, every rent book or similar document used in connection with a
" dwelling-house " must contain the following information :—
(1) After the 1st day of January, 1937, an occupier who causes or permits his dwelling
to be overcrowded is liable to prosecution for an offence under the Housing Act, 1936,
and, if convicted, to a fine not exceeding five pounds. Any part of a house which
is occupied by a separate family is a "dwelling."
(2) A dwelling is overcrowded if the number of persons sleeping in it is more than the
" permitted number," or is such that two or more of those persons, being ten years
old or over, of opposite sexes (not being persons living together as husband and wife)
must sleep in the same room.
(3) The " permitted number " for the dwelling to which this (Rent Book) ( )
relates is persons. In counting the number of persons each child under ten
years of age counts as half a person, and a child of less than one year is not counted
at all.
(4) The Act contains special provisions relating to overcrowding already existing on the
above-mentioned date or which is due to a child attaining the age of either one or ten
years after that date, or which is due to exceptional circumstances. Full information
about these special provisions and all provisions as to overcrowding can be
obtained free cm application to the borough council, whose address is Town Hall,
Kensington, "W.8.
The Act provides that the council shall, upon application of either the landlord or occupier, give
in writing the permitted number of persons in respect of the dwelling-house " owned or occupied
by the applicant.
In order to deal with the maximum number of applications from owners for " permitted
numbers," the council during the summer of 1936 authorised the employment of survey assistants
up to a total of six for the purpose of measuring rooms in connection with these applications. In
1937, however, it was found necessary to employ only one assistant. The following table shows
particulars of the work carried out during 1937 :—
Number of applications received 226
Number of houses involved in these applications 1,626
Total number of houses measured 2,645