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There has been a marked increase in the interest shown by owners in the possibility of rehabilitation
of houses included in clearance areas, and in one particular area (Keystone Crescent) undertakings were
given by the owners of all the properties that the houses would be brought up to a satisfactory standard;
the area was removed from the slum clearance programme and improvement grants have been applied for.
Care has been taken to ensure that the security of the tenants will not be prejudiced. It is anticipated that
further areas may be dealt with in this manner.
INDIVIDUAL UNFIT DWELLINGS
In 1971, 24 whole houses were represented as unfit for habitation and not repairable at reasonable
cost, and 92 basements or other parts of buildings were similarly dealt with.
Closing Orders were determined after dwellings had been made fit in 16 cases.
Towards the latter end of the year, rising values of houses resulted in a Council reappraisal of the
situation relating to "reasonable cost". As a result the need for action changed generally from dealing with
unfit houses not repairable at reasonable cost to houses repairable at reasonable cost under Section 9 of
the Housing Act 1957, Informal notices were served in respect of 83 houses either unfit or in need of
substantial repair, and 6 formal notices were served, mainly in the pilot registration areas.
TENEMENT DWELLINGS
Responsibility for dealing with sub-standard tenement blocks is shared with the Greater London
Council. Tenement blocks which are classified as unfit are dealt with under the provisions of Part III of the
Housing Act 1957. i.e. they are represented as unfit and eventually demolished.
To deal with those tenement blocks considered suitable for improvement a working party of officers
are set up in October 1970. In each case the owner's views and co-operation are sought and in appropriate
cases the owner is advised that the Council will consider purchase. If these approaches are unsuccessful
then, subject to adequate planning life, the practicability of the works necessary and financial viability, the
service of improvement notices is recommended.
TENEMENTS DEALT WITH BY THE BOROUGH
24 blocks of tenements were classified as being fit only for demolition. At the conclusion of 1971 the
following tenement blocks were still standing.
1 Baron Street Represented 15.6.71.
Carlton House, Stanmore St. Acquired and part vacant
Compton Flats, Goswell Road. Acquired. Part demolished and part used as temporary
modation.
Dagmar House, Dagmar Passage. Represented 14.9.71.
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