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62
INDIVIDUAL UNFIT DWELLINGS
During 1970, 19 houses were represented as unfit for habitation and not repairable at reasonable
expense. Similarly, 106 basements and parts of buildings were represented with a view to Closing Orders
being applied.
The number of Closing Orders determined during the year, after dwellings had been made fit, was 18.
TENEMENT DWELLINGS
The Housing Act 1969, increased considerably the grants available for improvement and as a result the
general policy for dealing with Tenement Blocks was reviewed.
A list of all the known tenements in the Borough was prepared and the tenements classified according to
their existing condition.
These classifications are:—
(A) To be dealt with by the Borough Council.
(B) To be dealt with by the Greater London Council.
(1) At a reasonable modern standard.
(2a) Should be improved.
(2b) Because of layout, high decant and economic objections, should not be improved but could
provide reasonable accommodation for the time being.
(3) Should be demolished by Greater London Council or Islington Borough Council action.
Categories 2a and 2b are the critical ones as depending on action taken the property can either provide
suitable accommodation or deteriorate until Slum Clearance procedure is inevitable.
To consider these blocks in detail and to instigate action, a Working Party of Officers from the various
interested departments has been set up to consider the blocks on a priority basis. Each property is being
appraised and the owner's views obtained. Schemes are being prepared and reports submitted to the
Committee, together with a recommended course of action. The first meeting of the Working Party of
Officers was held on the 20th October, 1970. Preliminary discussions have taken place with the Greater
London Council on their part of the tenement programme to ensure that all substandard tenements are
expeditiously dealt with.
1975 is the target date which has been set for the completion of the tenement programme.
IMPROVEMENT AREAS - HOUSING ACT, 1964
No improvement areas under the above Act were declared in the year. The Housing Act 1969, which
came into force in the middle of the year repealed the provisions for the declaration of such areas, but
introduced procedures for General Improvement Areas. The high degree of multi-occupation in the
Borough does not lend itself easily to large scale use of these provisions, but modified use of the procedures
is now being considered in co-operation with the Director of Development. The use of statutory powers to
deal with the houses in multiple-occupation is being vigorously pursued and it is hoped that this action can
be related to substantial improvement work so that such houses will not only conform to the legal
requirements, but provide fully satisfactory units of accommodation in future.
MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE
Systematic inspection within selected areas of houses in multiple-occupation was continued by Fire
Inspectors working under the Housing Act, 1961 (Section 16), to obtain satisfactory means of escape from
fire. This action was concentrated in the northern part of the Borough. Other areas within the Borough are
also being inspected in conjunction with the Public Health Inspectors with a view to joint action under
Housing Act, 1961 (Sections 15 & 16), to obtain increased facilities and means of escape from fire.