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40
Land Charges Act, 1925
The number of enquiries dealt with and reported upon was 3,149
relating to 4,590 properties. Whilst these figures indicate an increase
of 139 on the number of enquiries dealt with in 1959, the number of
properties to which these enquiries related was 844 fewer than in 1959.
As in previous years, the enquiries related to outstanding statutory
or informal notices, combined drainage orders, smoke control orders,
applications for decontrol under the Rent Restrictions Acts, and certificates
of disrepair.
Additional questions appeared on many of the search forms, mainly
in regard to any proposals for dealing with properties by means of
clearance or re-development under the Housing Acts, restrictions on the
use of underground rooms, and the suitability of premises for specific
purposes such as catering establishments and workrooms.
Assessment of Housing Priorities on Medical Grounds
During the year, 78 applications for rehousing on medical grounds
were examined, and recommendations were made for the guidance of the
Housing Committee.
In each case the precise medical condition and resultant disability
were determined (frequently necessitating communication with the family
doctor or with the hospital attended). Investigations concerning the
present housing circumstances of the applicants were made by the Public
Health Inspectors. Their detailed reports included a reference to the
extent and nature of existing premises, and its adequacy for the number
of persons accommodated; the sanitary and structural conditions; the
risk of infection, and the existence of inconveniences, such as stairs,
which might be prejudicial to the patient.
On this information, an assessment was made of the degree of priority
merited on medical grounds.
Common Lodging Houses
There are two common lodging houses for men in the City, licensed by
the City Council under the Public Health (London) Act, 1936.
These common lodging houses have accommodation for 716 and 565
men lodgers respectively.
Nine visits were made by the Public Health Inspectors to the lodging
houses during the year.