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45
The Sections in Part III of the Act deal with miscellaneous and general
provisions relating to private improvements in housing, repairing
obligations and town development.
Rent Act, 1957—Certificates of Disrepair
Two applications for certificates of disrepair were received during
the year. In one instance a certificate was duly issued and was still in
force at the 31st December, 1961. The other application was still under
consideration at the end of the year.
Land Charges Act, 1925
The number of enquiries dealt with and reported upon was 2,833
relating to 5,236 properties. Whilst these figures indicate a decrease
of 316 on the number of enquiries dealt with in 1960, the number of
properties to which these enquiries related was 646 more than in 1960.
The enquiries concerned 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 redevelopment 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, 124 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.