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70
During the year 366 houses were inspected and 357 Directions were recommended.
Directions were given in respect of 341 houses.
The systematic re-inspection of all the houses subject to Directions continued
throughout the year, most of the houses being re-visited at three-monthly intervals.
The response of the majority of landlords was favourable and few objections were
made to the limits of occupation set down in the Directions. Many landlords installed
additional facilities following the initial survey visit and as a result of advice given by the
inspection team. Others have carried out works subsequent to the giving of the Directions
and have then applied for variations.
Twenty-four variations were approved during the year, and nine contraventions of
Directions were referred to the Borough Solicitor for legal proceedings to be instituted.
Earls Court Area
In September, 1971, the Council decided to implement the provisions of the
Housing Acts relating to houses in multiple occupation in part of the Earls Court Ward. The
area chosen is bounded in the north by West Cromwell Road, in the east by Earls Court
Road, in the south by Old Brompton Road and in the west by the borough boundary. The
properties in this area are large and well built, but there is evidence that many are in
multiple occupation and are used as hostels and hotels. Individual houses have been found
where the sanitary facilities are inadequate and it is probable that in many cases where there
is multiple occupation, the means of escape in case of fire will not comply with the Greater
London Council's Code of Practice relating to such occupation.
By the end of the year preliminary house-to-house inspections had commenced in
the area.
Overcrowding
All cases of overcrowding are dealt with on the strict interpretation of the standard
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 1971 was 29 (20 penal and 9 non-penal), giving an equivalent number of persons of
1201/2. The total number of recorded cases where overcrowding was abated during the year
was 105, comprising a total of 4251/a units.
Since October, 1945, 2,918 cases have been reported, and the number of cases
remaining on the register at the end of the year was 102.
NOTE: Units mean the number of equivalent persons in the
families, obtained by regarding children between one and ten years
of age as "half persons" and disregarding infants under the age of
twelve months.
Individual Unfit Houses and Parts of Houses
Houses made fit after informal action under the
Housing or Public Health Acts 239
Houses repaired after service of formal notices
under the Public Health Acts 229
Houses made fit after service of formal notices
under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1957
(a) by owners 2
(b) by local authority in default 2
Action under Section 18 of the Housing Act, 1957
(a) closing orders made 14 (27 rooms)
(b) closing orders determined 7(14 rooms)