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123
Repair of Unfit Houses.
The repair and reconditioning of unfit houses, either under the
Housing Acts or the Public Health Act, has been systematically
proceeded with, and the work carried out will be found summarised
on pages 125 to 127.
In no case was it found necessary for the Council to enter
and carry out, in default of the owner, the repairs necessary
to secure compliance with notices served under the Housing Acts.
Appeals.
No appeals were lodged against notices served under section 9
of the Housing Act, 1936.
Demolition Orders.
It was mentioned in last year's report that two houses had
been represented with a view to demolition orders being made
in respect thereof. These houses were, however, demolished by
the owner prior to the making of the Orders. Another house,
represented during 1938, was similarly dealt with.
Closing Orders.
Ninety-one Closing Orders, relating to rooms or parts of
buildings in 47 houses in various parts of the Borough, were made
by the Council.
Of these Orders 86 (43 houses) were in connection with under
ground rooms which did not comply with the Regulations of the
Council in respect of such rooms.
In addition, 127 basement rooms in 66 houses were rendered
fit for habitation by the owners concerned.
Increase of Rent, Etc., Acts.
A new Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions)
Act came into force during the year.
This Act decontrolled houses in London of a rateable value
exceeding £35 and continued the provisions of previous Acts, with
regard to controlled houses, until 1942. Provision was also made
for the registration of decontrolled dwellings.
Seven applications were received from tenants for the certificate,
and 2 from owners for the report of the Sanitary Authority under
the above mentioned statutes. The application for a certificate was
granted in 6 cases and that for a report was granted in each case.
The remaining application for the certificate was under consideration
at the end of the year.
Action under Section 4 of the Housing Act, 1936.
In 35 cases (relating to 38 houses) contraventions of section 4
of the Housing Act, 1936, which requires, under penalty, the rent
book to be kept in a prescribed form, were reported to the Housing
Committee. Satisfactory explanations having been received and
the rent books having been put in order, no legal proceedings
were considered necessary, but the Housing Committee directed that
cautionary letters should be sent to the offenders.