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(2) 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.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—Sections 11 and 12 of the Housing
Repairs and Rents Act, 1954, have superseded legislation covering
the Council's powers in connection with houses in multiple occupation
previously contained in Sections 6 to 8 of the Housing Act,
1936, and Section 155 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
Under these Sections of the new Act, general powers have now
been given to the Council to secure the provision of the following:—
1. Natural Lighting
2. Ventilation
3. Water Supply
4. Drainage and Sanitary Conveniences
5. Facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food
and for the disposal of waste water.
6. Prevention of Overcrowding of sleeping rooms.
Several Metropolitan Boroughs who are more corcerned than
Greenwich with the problem of houses in multiple occupation, have
indicated that certain deficiencies exist in the new legislation as
compared with the old, especially with regard to periodical cleansing
and redecoration of parts of buildings in common use and artificial
lighting of common staircases. It is expected that the Metropolitan
Boroughs Standing Joint Committee will take the matter up with
the London County Council to remedy these apparent omissions.
The number of houses on the Register at the end of the year
was 5; these have been visited by the Sanitary Inspector on 9
occasions.
Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Acts, 1920/39.
—Under the provisions of these Acts landlords are permitted to make
certain increases of rent and tenants whose houses are not in all
respects reasonably fit for human habitation may apply to the
Sanitary Authority for a certificate to this effect enabling them to