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perhaps an object for commiseration by the tenants of the upper
floors, is now envied in his new flat, with his own bath, kitchen,
washing and sanitary conveniences. He generally pays a lower
rent than many inhabitants of rooms in private tenements and
those rooms have none of the amenities provided in the Council's flats.
The rents of rooms, particularly in some tenements in the Victoria district,
are grossly exorbitant. It is not uncommon to find 15s. charged for
an unfurnished room, and as much as 35s. for two unfurnished rooms. It
is not as a rule the owner of the house who derives this rich harvest
from exploitation of the occupiers or lodgers ; it is the tenant, very often
a person in the same walk of life as the lodger. The tenant rents
from the owner so many rooms, and sublets these rooms or, perhaps, the
whole house, at extortionate rents. The owner, however, who may be
deriving some £50 or £60 per annum from his house, less income tax,
is obliged to undertake all structural repairs and renewals. While the
Rent (Restriction) Acts continue, he sees his tenant enjoying a rent
income from subletting of perhaps £200 or more per annum. It is well
that this matter should be ventilated, as undoubtedly it is a factor
of great aggravation in the housing difficulties in Westminster. Two
classes of individuals are oppressed—the owner who is not getting a fair
return on his capital and the lodger who by the law of supply and demand,
is forced to pay an excessive rent. The middleman or tenant waxes
prosperous at the expense of both while the owner may be subjected
to unfair criticism by those unacquainted with the true facts of the caseThus
do the seeds of discontent grow and bear fruit.
(iii) Special Survey.
In July of last year, on receipt of the Circular 1,119 from the Ministry,
suggesting that special attention be paid to Housing, the Medical Officer
of Health directed each district sanitary inspector to survey and to report
on the housing conditions in his area. Special points, such as the character
of the district, main industries, chief non-residential buildings, &c., are
also included in the following summary of this special survey of the
whole City.
The City of Westminster comprises 2,502 acres, including such open
spaces as Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St. James's and the Green
Parks, and the gardens in 38 squares, the largest being in Vincent
Square, of 9 acres, while Eaton, Belgrave and Grosvenor, each approximately
measures 4 to 6 acres. The City is situate mainly in what is
socially termed, the "West-End" the postal areas included are E.C.4,
W.C.2, W.l, S.W.I, S.W.3 and S.W.7. On the north the boundaries