View report page

45
contraventions of the Bye-laws in four instances. Particulars of the defects, etc., discovered and
remedied will be found on page 46.
Bye-law 17 of the Bye-laws made by the London County Council with respect to lodging-houses
(i.e., houses intended or used for occupation by the working-classes and let in lodgings or occupied
by members of more than one family), requires every owner of a lodging-house to provide and maintain
for the use of each family by whom any part of the house is occupied, and so far as is practicable on
the storey or one of the storeys in which are situate the rooms or lodgings in the separate occupation
of the family—
(а) Water-closet accommodation;
(b) Accommodation for washing clothes;
(c) Accommodation for the storage of food in a reasonably cool position with proper ventilation
from the external air wherever practicable, and with protection from dust and flies;
(d) Accommodation for the preparation and cooking of food; and, where reasonably necessary,
and so far as practicable, the owner shall provide separate accommodation as specified in (a),
(b), (c) and (d) for each such family.
For the present, however, this Bye-law is applicable only to a house which is decontrolled
throughout.
During 1934 steps were taken to enforce the Bye-law in the case of every decontrolled tenement
house which came under the notice of the sanitary inspectors in the ordinary course of their duties,
notices being served with respect to 24 premises. In addition to the action thus taken, wherever there
appeared to be any likelihood of an empty house being re-let in separate tenements to persons of the
working classes, a letter was sent to the owner calling attention to the Bye-law.
Overcrowding.—During the year 48 cases of overcrowding were discovered, 31 being in houses
situated in the Clarendon Street Improvement Area (see page 44). The overcrowding was abated either
by removal of the families or by re-arrangement of the occupants of the rooms in all but 3 instances;
these will be dealt with during 1935.
One summons was issued. This resulted in the Magistrate making an Order for the abatement of
the overcrowding, which was duly obeyed.
Annual Cleansing.—In consequence of the pressure of work in connection with the administration
of the Housing Acts, the staff were unable to inspect, for annual cleansing purposes, more than 484
of the registered tenement houses. Notices were served for the cleansing and other work which was
found to be necessary.
It is anticipated that the arrears of inspection will, to a great extent, be made up during 1935.
Common Lodging Houses.—There are 2 common lodging houses in Kilburn Lane and 1 (Cecil
Louse) in Harrow Road. The number of beds for which each is licensed is as follows:—
268 and 270, Kilburn Lane, 60 beds for men.
272, 274 and 276, Kilburn Lane, 105 beds for men.
Cecil House, 179, Harrow Road, 69 beds for women and children.
During the year 59 inspections (including 12 night inspections) were made by the two Sanitary
Inspectors responsible for the supervision of these houses.
Two cases of infectious illness and six deaths occurred among the occupants.
Housing Act: Rent Books.—-Two reports were received as to rent books not containing the required
particulars. A cautionary letter was sent to each owner.
Brindley Street Flats.— These flats were erected by the Council in 1933. They contain four
tenements each with living room, kitchen and two bedrooms, and four tenements each with living
room, kitchen and one bedroom, the rents being 8s. 6d. and 6s. 0d. respectively for each class of
tenement. Accommodation is provided for 33 persons. All tenements are occupied by families
displaced from basement rooms through the operation of Closing Orders made by the Council.
Purchasing and Re-conditioning of Houses.—In August, 1930, the consent of the Minister of Health
was obtained to the Council's subscribing an amount not exceeding £5,000 in respect of debentures,
bearing interest at 2½ per cent. per annum, secured by a Trust Deed and issued by a public utility
society known as The Paddington Houses Association, Ltd. The money subscribed will be utilised
in purchasing, re-conditioning and improving working-class houses in the Borough, which will be
let in tenements.