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In the part of the area dealt with to date, the houses
mainly consist of a basement and three storeys, with a back addition,
usually to the basement and ground floors. In some cases the basement
rooms are subject to closing orders. In the past, these houses
have been occupied by a family on each floor, but due largely to the
settling of immigrants in this area, many have been found to be in oneroom
lettings. The majority of the houses in the area have no bathroom
and, generally, there is one internal water closet situated on the
ground floor or first half landing, with an external water closet in
the rear yard, the latter normally used only by the basement tenant.
The requirements generally have, therefore, been for the provision
of at least one bath in every house, and in some cases an
additional internal water closet, together with a hot water supply and
exclusive facilities for the cooking, preparation and storage of food
in each separate letting.
Where there are one-room lettings it has been found mainly
that kitchens are shared or cooking facilities are provided on landings.
In these cases the provision of hot and cold water supplies,
sinks, food storage and cooking facilities have also been required
within each letting.
In a number of cases, the baths have been installed in the
ground floor back addition rooms, and, where additional water closet
accommodation has been necessary, it has been possible to provide it
in the new bathroom, in those cases where there is a separate water
closet also available.
Where the back addition rooms are occupied, the bathrooms
have been provided by building up the back addition by an additional
storey. This is an expensive improvement but in view of the present
high market value of these properties and the added value such an
improvement secures, the expenditure is not considered to be excessive
or disproportionate. In many cases the owners have considered such
improvements to be worth while and have carried out the work without
any undue pressure being brought to bear. Some owners are converting
premises into self-contained units which involves building up the back
addition to the full height of the building, and they have sought
improvement grants from the Council to assist them in doing this. In
a number of cases where premises are free from mortgage, the Council
are considering the advance of loans to owner/occupiers to assist them
to improve their properties.
Problems encountered
In the administration of new legislation of this nature it
is inevitable that difficulties should be encountered. The largest
single problem which has been met in this work is the element of
delay. This has been experienced at all stages of the procedure,
of which the following are examples:-
(a) At the outset when the Town Clerk is endeavouring to
obtain details of persons interested in the premises,
undue delay has been caused by owners in the time taken
to reply to the enquiry. This information is essential
before any notices can be served.
(b) A lack of co-operation by owners and tenants has been met
in gaining access to some premises.
(c) Delay brought about by the administrative procedure
necessary in making a management order.