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81
"The occupier of every tenement house to which these bye-laws
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;
(c) at other times as and when necessary if adequate
means of natural lighting are not provided."
These bye-laws were made by the former Royal Borough of Kensington
in 1958, but the former Chelsea Borough Council did not take similar
action, and new bye-laws are being made for the whole area of the borough.
The new bye-laws are in draft form and, apart from a few minor
alterations, are similar to those agreed in 1958 by the Kensington
Council.
During 1966, formal notices were served in ten cases requiring
compliance with these bye-laws.
Certificates of Disrepair in relation to Dwelling Houses.
The Council's duty to issue certificates of disrepair in respect
of "rent controlled* dwelling houses, not reasonably suitable for
occupation, is governed by the Rent Act, 1957.
No applications were received or certificates issued during the
year.
Overcrowding.
All cases of overcrowding are dealt with on the strict
interpretation of the standards laid down in the Housing Act, 1957,
distinguishing between "penal" and "non-penal".
The number of new cases of overcrowding reported to the Housing
Committee during 1966 was 127 (59 penal and 68 non-penal), giving an
equivalent number of persons of 503. The total number of overcrowding
cases which were recorded during the year as having been abated was
188, comprising a total of 7831" units.
Since October, 1945, 2,575 cases have been reported, and the
number of cases remaining on the register at the end of this year was
305 (6l penal and 244- non-penal).
Assessment of Housing Priorities on Medical Grounds.
During the year, 231 applications for rehousing on medical grounds
were examined, and recommendations for the award of additional points
were made to the Chief Housing Officer. In each case, the precise
medical condition and resultant disability were determined (frequently
necessitating communication with the family doctor or with the
hospital attended). The premises were inspected in detail to
ascertain the extent and nature of the existing accommodation; the
adequacy of day and sleeping space; sanitary and structural defects;
and the existence of inconveniences, such as stairs, which might be
prejudicial to the patient.