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86
HOUSING.
Annual Cleansing.—The annual cleansing was carried out last year with considerable
difficulty. Having in mind the decision given in Arlidge v. Islington Borough Council, and the
course adopted by the magistrate at the Marylebone Police Court after that case had been
decided, it was felt that no summonses could be issued. New By-laws relating to Houses Let in
Lodgings were adopted by the Council on the 19th March, 1912.
The new By-laws have been framed to take advantage of the provisions of Sec. 16 of the
Housing, Town Planning, &c., Act, 1909, so that the difficulties created by the case of Arlidge
v. Islington Borough Council, and by decisions at the Marylebone Police Court as to right of
entry, should be met. The term " tenement houses" has been substituted for " houses let in
lodgings," to which strong objection has been frequently expressed by property owners. Under
the old By-laws the " landlord " was the only person liable for the keeping of lodgings in a proper
condition. Under the new series the lodgers are made to a considerable extent responsible,
more particularly with reference to details which may be described as included under the
term " domestic hygiene," e.g., cleanliness of rooms and beds, proper ventilation of rooms, &c.
The By-laws also aim at securing for lodgers adequate means for cleanliness in their persons
and clothing. The re-letting of a tenement without adequate cleansing after removal of the
previous tenant is prohibited, but, as a set-off, certain relaxations in connection with " annual
cleansing " are provided.
The new series is a dual one, intended to deal with tenements " intended for the working
classes" and those to be occupied by persons of other classes. The wording of Sec. 16 of
the Housing, Town Planning, &c., Act, 1909, has been strictly adhered to, but unfortunately no
definition of the persons who form the " working classes " has been enacted.
The 1,358 (1,340 in 1910) houses on the Register at the end of March were inspected in
connection with this work, 3,730 inspections in all being required to secure its completion. The
rooms reported as in need of cleansing numbered 1,936 (2,006 in 1910), and the notices served
2,880 (3,088 in 1909), comprising 2,165 cleansing notices, 172 for verminous rooms, and 543 for
sanitary defects, &c. Thirty cases were referred to the Solicitor, but no summonses were taken
out.
Following the practice of recent years, an enumeration was made of the occupants of the
houses, but a departure was initiated in tabulating the results. Hitherto only the "housing"
conditions in registered tenements have been recorded. This year the table (Table 48) includes
all the homes in what are known as " Registered Streets,"* and the tabulation has been extended
to cover all homes and not limited to homes of less than five rooms. The change has been made
in consequence of information received as to the intention of the Registrar-General to include
a full tabulation in the forthcoming census reports. The table gives particulars relating to 5,404
families, comprising 18,823 persons living in 10,444 rooms, average 1.8 persons per room.
* Registered Streets, 1911:—
Albert Street. Cuthbert Street. Howell Street. South Wharf Road.
Alfred Place. Dartington Terrace. Kensal Road. Stalham Street.
Alfred Road. Desborough Street. Kent's Place. Torquay Street.
Amberley Road. Dudley Street. Modena Street. Victoria Street.
Braden Street. Elcom Street. Netley Street. Waverley Road.
Braithwaite Place. Emily Street. North Wharf Road. Waverley Terrace.
Brindley Street. Green Street. Oliver Mews. Wellings Place.
Campbell Street. Hall Place. Orchard Street. Westbourne Terrace
Carlton Mews. Hall Place West. Philip Terrace. North.
Church Place. Hampden Street. Pressland Street. Woodchester Street.
Cirencester Street. Hasborough Street. Ranelagh Road. Woodfield Place.
Clarendon Street. Hermitage Street. Senior Street.
Crompton Street. Hethpool Street. Southam Street.
There are also 34 registered houses in 18 other streets (one or two in each street). These odd houses are
occupied by 445 persons, 333 over ten years of age and 112 under, living in 285 rooms.