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17
Overcrowding
The figures for overcrowding in the City, given in the statistical section of the Report (Table 18,
page 60) do not present a complete picture, as details of overcrowding can only be noted as they
come to light from various sources. A house-to-house survey would be necessary to obtain a
definitive figure.
The overcrowding statistics are based on the standard laid down in the Housing Act, 1957. This
consists of two tables: one table gives a permitted number of occupants for any particular dwelling
by reference to the number of rooms therein and the second gives the permitted number by reference
to the floor areas of the rooms. The lesser of the two figures is the maximum number of "units"
who can be in occupation without causing the rooms to be statutorily overcrowded. Children under
ten years of age count as a half unit and those under one year are not counted. Only rooms used
normally for bedrooms or living rooms are taken into consideration.
The overcrowding standard mentioned above should not be confused with the limits which can be
imposed by a local authority when issuing a direction under Section 19 of the Housing Act, 1961.
Such a limit applies only to the house or the part of the house designated and is based on the facilities
available, i.e. waterclosets, bathrooms, etc. Adults and children are counted equally in connection
with such a direction.
Certificates of Disrepair
The main principle relating to certificates of disrepair, issued under the Rent Act, 1957, is that a
tenant is entitled to pay a reduced rent (unless it is already a very low one) if his dwelling is defective.
The procedure is for the tenant to send his landlord a list of items of disrepair and if nothing is done
(or only some items are dealt with) the local authority can issue a certificate of disrepair provided they
are satisfied that such a certificate is justified. Only defects of repair listed by the tenant can be taken
into account and regard must be had to the age, character and locality of the premises. The landlord
has the option of giving an undertaking to carry out the repairs within six months and this may be
accepted by the local authority instead of issuing a certificate.
The issue of a certificate of disrepair, or the failure of a landlord to honour his undertaking, allows
the tenant, in general terms, to withhold any amount by which the rent exceeds one and one-third
times the gross value of the property. This continues until the local authority certify that the repairs
listed on the certificate have been carried out, or cancel the undertaking. The landlord is not liable
to any penalty (other than the loss of rent) if he decides not to carry out any work; but the disrepair
complained of is often such that action under other statutes can be taken by the Health Department
to enforce a remedy. (See Table 19, page 60.)
Loans and Grants
Applications for loans towards the purchase of houses, and grants for the improvement of houses,
whilst not primarily dealt with by the Health Department, do involve the public health inspectors
technically and the improvement of houses is of course very much the concern of the Department.
Applications for both loans and grants are reported upon by the public health inspectors. This involves
a detailed inspection of the premises, the preparation of schedules of essential works and the examination
of specifications and drawings. Meetings with owners, architects and builders are also arranged as
necessary and liaison with other Departments is maintained. This extensive work is necessary so that
the Council's statutory obligation to ensure that the premises will be in all respects fit for human
habitation is complied with and that the work proposed is in accordance with all statutes and byelaws
and is generally satisfactory.
One hundred and eleven applications for grants, and one hundred and four applications for loans,
were received in 1965.
A praiseworthy tendency which will have an increasing effect on the environmental work of the
Health Department is the growth of Housing Trusts. Loans to a Trust for the purchase of houses
can be made by the Council and, in proportion to the properties owned, improvement grants are
more often sought by Trusts than by private owners. It is considered that Housing Trusts, which regard
their houses as something more than a source of profit and do not purchase them for demolition and
development, are a valuable factor in rehabilitating property.
Common Lodging Houses
There are three common lodging houses in the City. One accommodating 565 men is kept by the
Salvation Army at 18 Great Peter Street, S.W.I., whilst another for 85 women is maintained by the
Church Army at 84 Bell Street, N.W.I. The third common lodging house for 716 men lodgers is
run by the Westminster City Council (Welfare Department), at Bruce House, Campbell Street, W.C.2.