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to areas of properties which are up to 100 years old where the property is either unsuitable
or not worth converting. These areas are shown on a map coloured pink and originally included
a total of 1,436 properties. This area has now been revised to include a total of
approximately 1,900 houses.
The best long-term solution for many of these properties is demolition and redevelopment,
but the existing slum clearance commitments of the Council will prevent them
from undertaking this for many years. The properties consist predominantly of houses in
multiple occupation.
The joint meeting of the Public Health Committee and Housing and Town Planning
Committee of the KensingtonCouncil recommended that, as short-term policy, the provisions
of Part II of the Housing Act, 1961, relating to houses in multiple occupation should be
applied to these areas.
The procedure involved under the Act of 1961 is complicated and calls for very
close liaison between the officers of the Town Clerk's and Medical Officer of Health's Departments.
Initially it was decided that the purpose of the inspection should be threefold:-
(i) to secure, under Section 12 of the Housing Act, 1961, the satisfactory
management of all premises in multiple occupation;
(ii) to obtain the installation of satisfactory sanitary facilities and amenities
under Section 15 of the Housing Act, 1961, to comply with the standards
made by the Council; and
(iii) to secure the repair of houses under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1957.
At the beginning of the year under review the Council decided that the inspections
should include means of escape from fire in addition to the foregoing.
Section 16 of the Housing Act, 1961, empowers the local authority to require
such means of escape from fire in a house in multiple occupation as they consider necessary.
In Greater London, the Act requires the Borough Councils to consult with the fire authority
i.e., the Greater London Council, before serving a notice under this Section. In this connection,
the Greater London Council have compiled a comprehensive code of practice for
means of escape from fire at houses in multiple occupation and the inspections which have
been carried out since January 1965, have also dealt with the provision of such means of
escape.
The notices which are prepared are fully in accordance with the code of practice
and in these circumstances consultation is deemed to have taken place with the fire authority.
In any special cases, consultation takes place with officers of the Greater London Council.
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
In the administration of 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) When endeavouring to obtain detailsof 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.
(d) Various methods adopted by recalcitrant landlords to avoid or delay executing
the necessary works.
(e) Changes of ownership.
(f) Changes of occupier and the method of letting a house.