View report page

28
SECTION D.
Housing.
General.
It is estimated that there are 8,065 dwellings in the Borough.
Unfortunately a very considerable proportion are dilapidated and
outworn, and incapable at a reasonable expense of being reconditioned
to comply with modern standards. Deterioration is proceeding almost
as rapidly as temporary improvements can be effected. Again much
of the property was built many years ago and is unsuitable for
conversion into the type of accommodation that it is desired to
provide at the present time. Until such time as demolition and
rebuilding can be carried out on an extensive scale, it is clear that
every effort must be exercised to preserve houses wherever possible
and prevent the falling off of even those amenities that are available
to residents.
Most of the work to secure this has been undertaken under the
Public Health Act by informal action.
Proceedings under the Housing Act.
No representations were made and no notices served under
Section 9 and 10 of the Housing Act, 1936 requiring notices to be
served.
44 House to House inspections were carried out.
18 representations were made during the year under Section 11
that premises were unfit for habitation and could not at a reasonable
expense be made fit.
Fourteen new representations were made in respect of Closing
Orders during the year, one being a flat in a block of tenements and
the rest basement rooms. Both the flat and the basement rooms are
unoccupied and not used for human habitation.
Four new Demolition Orders were made during the year in
respect of 20 houses. One other Demolition Order in respect of a
dwelling was made early in 1950 and was not included in the last
report.