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65
accommodation at the time of the survey, and 12 were in respect to
families which had moved in after the survey had been made.
12 due to an agreement between the Medical Officer of Health
and the Owners that rooms in certain properties should be regarded
as sculleries.
2 families moved from overcrowded premises in the Borough
before the appointed day and caused overcrowding in the premises
to which they moved.
25 premises were found to be overcrowded in such circumstances
as to render the occupier and/or landlord guilty of an
offence.
These 25 cases were discovered as follows:—
6 as a result of the Enquiry Officer visiting premises following
the receipt of communications from the L.C.C's Housing Department
asking if applicants for housing accommodation were living
in overcrowded conditions.
5 by the occupiers applying to the Borough Council for assistance
in obtaining more suitable accommodation.
2 were notified to the Council by the landlords of the premises
concerned.
12 by the Enquiry Officer in the course of his duties.
Of the 25 families concerned 10 moved into the district) from
addresses outside the Borough of Southwark, 6 were previously living
in overcrowded conditions in other parts of the Borough and 9 removed
from addresses in the Borough in which they .were not overcrowded.
All the cases were given careful consideration and no legal proceedings
were instituted by the Council, but in five cases where it was considered
that flagrant offences had been committed, notices requiring the
abatement of the overcrowding were served on the landlords.
Four of the families occupying premises in respect of which notices
were served, moved privately, and with regard to the fifth family the
owner of the premises is suing for possession.
Of the remaining 20 cases 6 moved privately, 4 were transferred by
owners to larger accommodation, 7 were re-housed—4 by the L.C.C. and
3 by the Church Army—and 3 remain on the register.