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(2) Sanitary defects due to depreciation of property.—Depreciation
of property usually occurs as a result of the owners' inability to
carry out repairs during the war period. A Notice is served on
the owner by the Sanitary Inspector, and where expenditure exceeds
£100 it is necessary for a licence to be obtained before the work is
allowed to proceed.
(3) Housing defects.—These are cases where the conditions are
such that they cannot be remedied under the procedure of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and are dealt with under the
Housing Act, 1936, as being houses unfit for human habitation.
Representations are made to the Public Health Committee to
consider as to whether such houses can be repaired at a reasonable
cost having regard to the value of the premises, or whether Closing
and Demolition Orders should be made.
Nuisances Arising from Bombed Sites and E.W.S. Tanks.—
These sites continue to exercise the attention of this Department,
though on a somewhat lesser scale than hitherto.
Nuisances arise mainly during the summer period in connection
with the deposit of refuse and the accumulation of stagnant water.
With the co-operation of the London Fire Brigade most of the water
can be extracted from the static water tanks, but the mounting
quantities of rubbish, old iron, etc., constitute quite a problem.
In general, the public seem unaware of the fact that this
Authority will, upon request, collect and destroy unwanted
mattresses and bedding. Consequently there is a tendency for
articles of this description to be surreptitiously dumped on vacant
spaces.
Nuisances are minimised by the Disinfestation Squad's use of
D.D.T. in their routine visits to E.W.S. tanks and "bombed sites."
The introduction by the Council of a bye-law made under
Section 146 of the London Government Act, 1939, served to alleviate
the position, but once more I must reiterate the need of a national
policy in order entirely to eliminate this form of nuisance.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—The L.C.C. Bye-laws made under
Section 6 of the Housing Act, 1936, define a house let in lodgings
as one which is occupied or is of a type suitable for occupation by
persons of the working classes and let in lodgings or occupied by
members of more than one family. These dwellings are subject
to registration and must comply with certain requirements as to
sanitation, cleanliness, etc.
The number of houses on the Register at the end of the year
was 12; these have been visited by the Lady Sanitary Inspector
on 27 occasions.