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55
SECTION D
HOUSING
(In conjunction with Mr. W. C. Bartlett, Chief Public Health Inspector)
This again has been a year of work under Part II of the Housing Act with increasing
emphasis on the problems arising from houses in multiple occupation. There are still many
houses falling short of the defined standard of fitness provided under Section 4 of the
Housing Act, 1957, and it was found necessary to continue representing houses and parts of
houses with a view to demolition or closure.
There can be little doubt that a very substantial number of houses could be repaired
and made fully fit at reasonable cost. The problem of bringing older type houses more in
conformity with present-day standards both in respect of condition of repair and the provision
of adequate amenities, will almost certainly receive greater prominence in the future. The
fact that repair and modernisation is now becoming a much more practicable and doubtless
worthwhile proposition is emphasised by the amount of work necessarily carried out in the
premises included in the table on page 57 under Section 27 of the Housing Act, summarising
the Closing Orders determined in respect of both whole houses and parts of houses, (particularly
basement rooms ) which had previously been the subject of Closing Orders because the cost of
repair work had been regarded as unreasonable at the time of the original representation.
During the year no clearance areas were submitted to the Minister of Housing and Local
Government for confirmation although the Camden Walk Clearance area comprising 23 houses was
represented and declared to be a clearance area by the Council.
The number of houses and flats erected in the Borough during the year was
Borough Council 221
London County Council 124
Private Enterprise 110
The number of municipal flats and houses erected since the war is
Borough Council 3715
London County Council 2716+ 29 rebuilds from war damage.
The total number of dwellings (i.e. flats and houses separately assessed) in the Borough
at the end of the year was 46,547.
Again, the problem of houses let in lodgings has merited urgent attention. Many of these
properties contain single room lettings, and are occupied by persons of different nationalities,
habits and customs. The lack of adequate sanitary accommodation, water supplies and facilities
for the storage, preparation and cooking of food is most difficult to remedy because of the
alternative open to the person in control of the premises following service of a Notice Under
Section 36 of the Housing Act 1957, viz. to decrowd the house by a reduction in the number of
families or individuals. Such action usually results in families who are desperately in need
of accommodation being evicted. Many cases therefore have been dealt with on an informal basis
and a considerable number of improvements have been effected.
It is interesting to note that in respect of two properties the Council prosecuted the
person in control following the service of Notices under Section 36 of the Housing Act, 1957
and convictions were obtained in both cases. There is a need for legislation which would allow
a local authority to serve a Notice requiring the provision of the basic amenities in houses
let in lodgings without the possibility of the tenants losing their protection under the Rent
Act, and the inclusion of powers permitting the local authority to carry out work in default
would also be helpful. The rehousing of families in order to bring about material improvements
in the living conditions of the remaining tenants is also a further problem to be faced.