London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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Houses in Multiple Occupation
(a) Management Orders, Directions and Notices
One senior public health inspector, with technical assistance, has continued the inspection of houses in
multiple occupation in the Pimlico area which has been in progress for some time in an effort to inspire
improvements by negotiation or, where necessary, apply the appropriate powers available under the
Housing Acts 1961/64/69. In addition, the inspector has been responsible for the inspection of premises
within the City which have been the subject of applications for loans.
As a consequence of the increased number of public health inspectors in post, it became possible during
August 1971 to transfer another inspector to the specialist housing section to commence a survey of the
tenement dwellings in Westminster which require fundamental improvements to provide amenities and
living standards appropriate to the present time.
A summary of the work of the inspectorate in connection with multi-occupied houses and tenement
dwellings is given in Table 12, page 75.
(b) Means of Escape in case of Fire
The Director of Architecture and Planning served 30(14) notices under Section 16 of the Housing Act
1961 and 26(14) were complied with during the year. In respect of a further 160(53) premises proper and
adequate means of escape were provided as a result of informal action taken by the Director.

Grants, Subsidies and Loans The following summary indicates the number of applications referred to the Health Department for inspection and comment during the year:-

No. of Dwellings
Discretionary Grants
(a) Works of improvement222(246)
(b) Conversions775(369)
Standard Grants39(43)
Subsidies to Housing Associations for the improvement and conversion of properties221(208)
Loans for the acquisition and/or improvement of premises in Westminster60(16)

A summary of visits made is given in Table 11, page 74.
Qualification Certificates
At the end of the year 628(695) applications for qualification certificates had been received. Details
appear in Table 14, page 75.
A qualification certificate certifies that a dwelling satisfies the qualifying conditions laid down in the
Housing Act 1969. The "qualifying conditions" are that the dwelling is provided with all the standard
amenities (bath, wash-hand basin, sink, hot water supply to these, and water closet) for the exclusive use of
the occupants, is in good repair and is fit for human habitation.
If a dwelling is improved to reach these standards (or if it already satisfies such conditions) the
controlled tenancy can be converted to a regulated tenancy.
Unlawful Eviction, Harassment and Provision of Rent Books
During 1971, a total of 441 complaints of alleged harassment were received by the Council. Of these, 63
were made direct to the City Solicitor, and 378 were made to the Health Department's Enquiry Officer.
Of the total number of complaints, approximately 30% did not reach a concluded state because either
the tenant failed to pursue his complaint or disappeared; approximately 50% related to minor issues which
the Enquiry Officer settled by conciliation; about 10% were not related to matters within the scope of the
Rent Act, and 10% had some basis for complaint within the scope of harassment. In only 5 cases, however,
was there adequate evidence to sustain proceedings, and in one of these cases the complainant disappeared
before proceedings could be issued.