London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

View report page

Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Lewisham 1968

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]

This page requires JavaScript

Text

Copy text to clipboard

(b) Repair
Apart from houses repaired as a result of action under the Public Health Acts 1936
and 1961, some properties are found to be unfit mainly due to extensive disrepair
which could be remedied at reasonable expense. In these cases notices are served under
the Housing Act 1957. Where the owner fails to comply, the Council is empowered to
carry out the work in default. As a result of action taken four houses were made fit
during the year after formal notices:—
(a) by owners 3
(b) by the Council 1
(c) Closure or Demolition
Individual dwellings or parts found to be unfit for human habitation and not
capable of being made fit at reasonable expense can be dealt with by a Closing or
Demolition Order. The owners are notified of the Council's intention and have an
opportunity of making an offer of works to avoid the Order being made. Some details
of this procedure during 1968 are as follows:—

Table: Table 58DEMOLITION AND CLOSING ORDERS

Table 58

DEMOLITION AND CLOSING ORDERS

Demolition Orders made ..................6
Closing Orders made ..................28
Closing Orders determined..................—
Closing Orders revoked and Demolition Orders made ......—
Houses demolished .....................10
Parts of buildings closed ..................13

Text

Copy text to clipboard

HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
Under the 1961 Act these houses can be improved by the provision of additional
amenities (sinks, hot water, baths, water closets, etc.) by improving the management,
by reducing the number of occupants and by one of the most important items, means
of escape in the case of fire. A great deal of work has been achieved in this type of
property by informal approach to the owners. Unfortunately this type of occupation
may occur in houses on mortgage to the Council and in these cases action has been
possible with the co-operation of other Council departments.

Table: Table 59

Table 59

Houses where Management Orders were made ............2
Houses where neglect of proper standards of management were made good
By owners after informal action ...............10
By owners after formal action..................2
By the Council in default ..................—
Houses in which additional services or facilities were provided
By owners after informal action ...............22
By owners after formal action..................8
By the Council in default ..................—
Houses provided with means of escape from fire
By owners after informal action ...............22
By owners after formal action..................9
By the Council in default ..................7
Houses where Directions were made to reduce or prevent overcrowding ...9

Text

Copy text to clipboard

Housing Act, 1964—Control Orders
Houses in multiple occupation where, in spite of action under the Housing Act 1961,
conditions have not improved may be taken over and managed by the Council and
works of improvement carried out. During 1968 this action was taken in one case.
74