View report page

40
This situation has repercussions which also affect the 'native'
members of the community, particularly controlled tenants, many
of whom have lived all their lives in the Borough. Unfortunately
this still gives rise to misunderstanding and friction.
Social workers and officials in the district are aware that we
have been plagued by unsatisfactory landlords and property owners
for many years, but over the last few years another type of' landlord
menace ' has arisen.
This is because some people in urgent need of accommodation
have been compelled by the shortage of rented accommodation at
economic rents to buy property beyond their means and which very
often is unsuitable or even inadequate for their own needs. The
Council have continued to give helpful advice to would-be purchasers
and grant loans for house purchase, conversion and
alterations in accordance with the Housing (Financial Provisions)
Act, 1958. (Amended 1959.) Unfortunately, however, there are
would-be purchasers who do not have the necessary qualifications
to be eligible for loans, and who despite advice, buy undesirable,
unsuitable properties at inflated prices. So frequently these people
obtain loans from the less desirable societies or agents who are only
too ready to grant them at exorbitant rates of interest. Thus, in
order to make their investment as profitable as possible, sometimes
even in order to meet their commitments, and in some cases in an
attempt to make sufficient money to buy something better, many
of these landlords are letting off all the rooms they can possibly
spare at high rents, with limited facilities and so many restrictions
that their tenants live under perpetual strain and also perpetual fear
of eviction. Protected tenants in such properties are bitterly
resented and so often everything possible is done to persuade them
to move, even to the extent of petty persecution.
There are always problems in introducing legislation, primarily
to see that it is all embracing, and secondly to see that it does not
create more problems than it resolves. The laws relating to housing
are no exception, and are sometimes powerless to control the
increasing exploitation and sharp practice which the shortage inevitably
invites. This is very largely because certain legislation can
only be effective with the co-operation of the exploited tenant, but
as he knows that eviction is certain if he protests, he will keep quiet
about it. Rent Tribunals are loaded with work, but yet there are
many cases not referred to them because, again, the result might be
eviction.
Not only have such problems taken up an enormous amount
of my time, but the situation is discouraging, bccause as a sociologist
I am concerned with the development of stable family life, but more
particularly because the long term purpose of my particular function
is to assist newcomers in the development of stable family life, as
units, within the community as a whole.
It is generally agreed that the success of our efforts will be
reflected tomorrow in the children of today, but how can we expect
these citizens of tomorrow to understand and emulate something
they are not having the opportunity of experiencing, a permanent
home, unbroken school attendance, and opportunities of making