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A summary of visits for various purposes will be found in Table 12 on page 71.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
(a) Management Orders, Directions and Notices
Throughout 1969 two public health inspectors continued a survey in the Pimlico area on the
basis of a house-to-house inspection. At the end of the year a further 220 properties in that area had
been inspected, of which 106 required action either informally or by the service of notice.
The Director of Architecture and Planning served 54 (50) notices under Section 16 of the Housing
Act, 1961 (means of escape in case of fire) and 26 (19) were complied with during the year.
A summary of the work of the Inspectors in connection with multi-occupied houses is given in
Table 13 on page 72.
(b) Housing Act 1964—Control Orders
Of the 5 premises which had been made the subject of control orders by the City Council and the
former Paddington Borough Council, a further two orders ceased to have effect in 1969 after the
expiration of five years from the date on which the orders came into force.
(This left one order in operation which terminated in January 1970 on expiry of the statutory
period.)
Unfit Premises
Details of closing orders made during the year are given in Table 14, page 72.
Housing Priority on Medical Grounds
During the year 1,678 (1,254) rehousing applications supported by medical certificates or claims
for priority on medical grounds were considered and assessed by a Principal Medical Officer.
Unlawful Eviction, Harassment & Provision of Rent Books
The number of cases of alleged harassment and illegal eviction investigated during the year was
203 (178), and in addition 36 (26) specific complaints of non-provision of rent books were dealt
with. Rent books are automatically inspected in all cases of harassment investigated.
The number of visits paid by the officer concerned was 560. No legal proceedings were instituted
in relation to these matters.
Overcrowding
The majority of cases of overcrowding came to the notice of the City Council through applications
for rehousing, and the statistical information on the known cases is given in Table 15, page 73.
Certificates of Disrepair
Towards the end of the year, one application was received for a Certificate of Disrepair, which was
subsequently issued.
Slum Clearance
During the year the Herries Street (South) Compulsory Purchase Order was confirmed without
modification by the Minister of Housing and Local Government. The rehousing of the qualifying
families from this area, together with those from the Herries Street (North) and Mozart Street areas
has commenced, preparatory to the demolition of the properties.
The Ashmill Street/Broadley Street area has now been cleared.
A comprehensive report on the conditions in the Archer Street/Brewer Street/Green's Court/
Peter Street areas has been prepared for consideration in 1970.
A survey of the proposed St. Michael's Street Clearance Areas was completed towards the end of
the year and a detailed report is in course of preparation.
Housing Act 1969
The Housing Act 1969 came into effect on 25th August 1 969 and deals with house improvement