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Moon Street/Studd Street. Initially these areas were considered for slum clearance.
This action was deferred on the undertaking of the various owners to bring the property
up to the required standard. Hie first area comprised a total of 58 unfit houses and
the second area 30 unfit houses.
As the end of the year, 15 houses had been made fit in Haverstock Street and
Remington Street and 17 houses in Moon Street and Studd Street. All of these houses
had been converted into one or more self-contained dwellings, each complete with all
the standard amenities. Work was in progress in other houses in these two areas and
specifications of work had been agreed in respect of further houses.
Hie repair and improvement of such houses was necessarily a slow process, as the
extent and nature of the work required that vacant possession be obtained by owners
before undertaking work of this scope. It is of interest to note that over 50% of
the dwellings produced by these conversions are tenanted and not owner/occupied.
Many enquiries were received in respect of improvement work proposed by owners
and architects to individual houses and to flats. Hiis type of enquiry was welcomed
by the housing inspectors as it ensured that the work complied with the provisions of
the Housing Acts and the byelaws, and that a high standard of improvement and
workmanship was maintained.
Housing Acts, 1961 and 1964
These two Acts were particularly applicable to this area, where many houses or
parts lack modern amenities, as they dealt generally with the improvement of houses
in multiple occupation or houses divided into separate dwellings. Hie survey of
houses in multiple occupation continued during the year and, in addition, an area of
houses bounded by Essex Road, Northchurch Road, Englefield Road and Southgate Road,
a total of 196 properties divided into 637 lettings, was surveyed under the provisions
of Part II of the 1964 Housing Act as a possible 'Improvement Area.' Such an area
must contain dwellings lacking one or more of the standard amenities and of these at
least one half must be so constructed that it is practicable to improve them to the
full or reduced standard, at reasonable expense. After improvement they must be fit
for human habitation and, subject to normal maintenance, remain in that condition and
available for use as dwellings for a period of not less than 15 years.
Hie survey in this area showed that very few of the houses could be regarded as
being occupied as separate dwellings as defined in the Act. Hiey were generally in
multiple occupation and so, whilst the area could not be dealt with as an 'Improvement
Area' , those houses which were in multiple occupation could be dealt with under the
1961 Housing Act and amenities provided in accordance with the Council's Code of
Practice.
A second area consisting of 37 houses in Affleck Street was also surveyed. Hiese
houses were found to have sub-standard basement rooms and all were occupied by two or
more families, and falling far below the standard required by the Council's Code of
Practice. A scheme was produced for the conversion of the basement rooms to bathrooms
and for the provision of hot and cold water supplies, sinks and food stores for those
lettings lacking these amenities.
Experience showed it to be more economical of man-power and better for public
relations to deal with these multi-occupied houses in areas rather than individually.
Hie application of the provisions of Section 16 of the 1961 Housing Act dealing
with means of escape in case of fire, previously dealt with by the Borough Engineer,
was transferred to this Department on the 1st April, 1965. Hie Housing and Fire
Inspectors' work was co-ordinated, and schedules of works necessary for the provision
of amenities andthe means of escape, both at the informal and formal stages, were
served together.
Hie 1961 Housing Act provided for the making of a Management Order on any premises
in multiple occupation should the condition of the house not comply with Regulations
laid down for the management of such houses. Provision was also made for the making
of a Direction to limit the number of persons who may occupy premises in multiple
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