Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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To be developed by the London County Council
Blechynden Street area north west of railway
Gross area in acres 8.30
To be developed by the Borough Council
Blechynden Street area south east of railway:Gross
area in acres 11.40
Artificial Lighting of common staircases in tenement houses and flats
Council Byelaws relating to artificial lighting of common
staircases in tenement houses and flats came into operation on 11th
March, 1958. The prinoipal Byelaw reads as follows:-
The occupier of every tenement house to which these
Byelaws apply and the owner of every block of flats shall
provide adequate artificial lighting for all common
staircases:-
(a) from half an hour before sunset until 12 o'clock
midnight:-
(b) for one hour before sunrise during the months of
October, November, December, January, February
and March; and
(c) at other times as and when necessary if adequate
means of natural lighting are not provided.
During 1959, informal notices were served in twelve cases,
requiring compliance with these Byelaws.
Improvement or Conversion of existing houses
There are two methods by which owners of private dwellings may
apply to the Council for assistance towards carrying out works of improvement
or conversion.
The first method is to apply for an improvement grant - known
as a discretionary grant - under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1958.
The maximum grant payable is one half of the approved expenditure (which
must not be less than £100) subject to a maximum allowance of £400.
In considering a scheme of improvement or conversion submitted for
grant, only one question may properly be asked, namely, whether it will
produce a satisfactory modernised dwelling complying with the statutory
conditions and the specified requirements.
The requirements which the Minister pf Housing and Local
Government has specified for a dwelling in respect of which an improvement
grant may be made are as follows
The dwelling must, after improvement or conversion-
1. be in a good state of repair and substantially
free from damp;
2. have each room properly lighted and ventilated;
3. have an adequate supply of wholesome water laid
on inside the dwelling;
4. be provided with efficient and adequate means of
supplying hot water for domestic purposes;
5. have an internal or otherwise readily accessible
water closet;