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61
It is not generally realised that the making fit of a house subject to a Closing
Order or Undertaking entails many interviews, discussions and consultations with
owners, architects and builders as to the Council s requirements Arising from these
discussions, the guidance and advice of Inspectors is sought in many other instances
where the work envisaged is of a voluntary nature.
In connection with the Council'' s House Purchase Scheme, where the house concerned
is let in multiple occupation, the Council requires the applicant to bring the
property up to the Council" s standard Code of Practice formulated under Section 15 of
the Housing Act, 1961
The property in question is visited by an Inspector to ascertain which service or
amenities are lacking. Whilst the necessary works are being carried out the Inspector
is required to visit on many occasions to ensure that the Cbuncil s requirements are
satisfied,
During the year several properties were dealt with under Section 9 of the Housing
Act, 1957, and in this connection the Housing Inspectors prepare specifications of
works required and also supervise the work whilst in progress
It is apparent from the experience gained in the repair of these properties that
any large scale programme under Section 9, would in many instances require the provision
of temporary accommodation for some of the tenants living in the affected houses Here
again, attention is drawn to the increasing number of owners, architects and surveyors
who have approached the Department for advice on the Cbuncil's requirements, not only
where Closing Orders are in force as previously mentioned, but also on a voluntary basis
where conversion work is to proceed Many of these consultations on site whilst adding
to the work of the Housing Inspectors, nevertheless serve an extremely useful purpose in
securing a uigher class of repair and improvement than might otherwise have been obtained.
During the year conversion work in connection with a block of tenement flats was in
progress and special attention had to be paid to the construction of trunking in order to
secure effective ventilation before a certificate under Section 5 (1), Housing Act, 1957
could be granted in respect of the back to back type of flats This work was oompieted and
was the last of ten blocks on the estate to be converted with each flat enjoying its own
separate amenities Prom time to time subsequent reinspections of some of the flats in the
above blocks have been carried out and the adaptations have considerably improved living
conditions
Several discussions took place with the Architects concerned with the proposed redevelopment
of another estate Effective through ventilation was required in several back
to back flats
The number of houses and flats erected in the Borough during the year was
Borough Council 97 43 Repair/Conversion
London County Council 321
Private Enterprise (Inc 24 - City of London
Corporation) 134 Flats ♦ 13 houses
The number of municipal flats and houses erected since the war is
Borough Council 4,062 + 43 Repair/Conversion
London County Council 3,281 + 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 47.310