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67
SOME GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON OVERCROWDING.
Overcrowding is showing a steady decrease, although the number
of abatements cannot be accurately ascertained in the absence |pf compulsory
notifications by landlords of re-lettings.
Accommodation appears to be slightly easier to obtain, but is not
yet so easily obtainable that the overcrowding provisions can be rigidly
enforced without inflicting hardship, and the principal need is for
accommodation containing four or' more rooms.
There appears to be a tendency on the part of some landlords, particularly
the householder type, to let premises to the maximum number
of persons, and during 1938, 8 instances of premises becoming overcrowded
within six months of the commencement of the tenancy have
been discovered. In one case the premises became overcrowded two days
after the tenancy commenced.
Overcrowding has in some cases been abated by the occupiers voluntarily
making arrangements for members of their families to sleep or
live away from home. Investigations into these cases reveal that this
step has been taken because the present accommodation although overcrowded
is suitable for the occupiers by reason of it being in close
proximity to their work and at a rent within their means, or because
of the possibility, if re-housed, of members of the family getting married
and leaving the remaining members with accommodation in excess of
their needs and/or at a rent higher than can be afforded.
This is, undoubtedly, an unsatisfactory method of abating overcrowding
as, apart from the dislocation of family life, it is difficult
without paying night visits to be satisfied that these persons are not
actually sleeping in the premises.
The necessity for an out-door officer able to devote the whole of his
time to overcrowding has been proved by the fact that a number of
cases of overcrowding have been discovered which, without the services
of such an officer, might have been missed, and experience has shown
that the investigation and control of overcrowding could not be satisfactorily
conducted solely from the office.
It is believed that the existence of such an officer will deter landlords
from letting their premises in an overcrowded condition for
although the number of illegal cases is a high one, it will be observed
that 50 per cent, of these cases were found by the Enquiry Officer in the
normal course of his duties.