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To encourage owners to carry out this type of conversion the Council may make
a grant of up to £500 for each dwelling, and during the year discretionary grants
were made in respect of 68 dwellings totalling £25, 232, 13. 0.
Standard Grants
Some large houses do readily lend themselves to conversion, and many smaller
houses which are suitable for one family occupation lack certain basic amenities,
but otherwise will be fit for occupation for some years.
Owners are persuaded to provide these basic amenities, (i.e. a fixed bath or
shower, a wash-hand basin, a hot and cold water supply to bath, basin and sink,
an internal water closet and a food store, and the Council makes a grant of up to
£155 or up to £350 in certain circumstances towards the cost of the work.
During the year standard grants in respect of 71 dwellings were made
totalling £10,069.3.9d.
Improvement Areas and Improvement of Houses outside Area
Not all owners are willing to take advantage ofcthe Council's grants for improving
houses and the Housing Act 1964 gives the Council power, under certain
conditions, to require the provision of basic amenities.
The procedure for improvement areas is very protracted and it has not yet
been possible with the staff available, to carry out the necessary preliminary
surveys to see if there are areas in the Borough suitable for this procedure. It has,
however, been possible to deal with individual houses outside of areas and 20
Notices have been served under this Section during the year.
These notices require the owner to be given at least twelve months to carry
out the works.
REHOUSING AND OVERCROWDING
APPLICATIONS FOR REHOUSING
826 cases were dealt with during the year on the following grounds:—
Lambeth Borough Council
Health 1273
Insanitary conditions 119
Special cases 21
Cases previously investigated and checked
as being rehoused by Lambeth Borough Council 154 1567