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stability would be affected by the demolition of those dwellings
which are unfit. It is anticipated that a further number will
he improved and the remainder will be dealt with by Individual
closing orders.
Slum Clearance. Future Programme
A further survey of the Borough has been carried out
and this shows that there are no comprehensive areas in the
Borough which could be regarded as slum clearance areas in the
immediate future.
There are, however, some individual premises which are
unfit and which cannot be made fit at reasonable cost. These
will be dealt with by individual demolition or closing orders
hut the rate of progress depends in part on the availability
of accommodation for rehousing. If closing orders are made
without the possibility of rehousing, even essential maintenance
may be neglected and the occupiers conditions are made worse.
Repair of Houses
A great deal of the work of the public health
inspector is related to the repair of houses and a large proportion
of the complaints received at the Public Health Department
concerns housing defects. In general, landlords have shown a
greater willingness to carry out repairs and an intimation notice
under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936 is usually effective
and indeed an informal letter or telephone message to the agent or
owner in many cases produces the desired result.
A somewhat disturbing practice has, however, arisen in
that a few landlords in making an agreement with a tenant require
that the tenant shall be responsible for all the internal repairs.
In a few instances the defects found in the house have arisen over
many years and repairs would involve major structural work for
which the tenant ought not to be responsible and it has been quite
clear that in his anxiety to get a house the tenant did not
appreciate the implications of the agreement and the liabilities
he was accepting.
Whilst it is not suggested that there is anything
illegal in these agreements, and indeed in some instances they
are signed with full knowledge in recognition of a low rental, many
are reminiscent of the "conditions in small print" which were
attached in the past to some insurance and hire-purchase agreements.
Fortunately, the above does not apply to the great majority of
property owners and agents in Hampstead but the few cases one does
meet are distressing.