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103
It is very satisfactory to report that during the first quarter of 1913 there
was a marked decrease in the number of empty flats; in fact at the end of the
quarter the Buildings were fully occupied.
Flaxman Terrace. These flats continue to let exceedingly well. During the
year the loss from empties only amounted to £9 10s. 6d. (equal to .46 per
cent.) out of a gross rental of £2,067. The sum of £16 4s. 0d. was also
received for the use of the perambulator and bicycle sheds.
Prosper Terrace. These flats also continue to let well. The loss from
empties only amounted to £10 16s. 6d. (equal to .62 per cent.) out of a gross
rental of £1758 5s. 6d. A sum of £10 4s. 2d. was also received for the use
of the sheds, and £203 4s l1d. from the baths, as compared with £190 7s. 4d
for the previous year.
There is a credit balance of £211 6s. 5½d. on the Golding-ton Buildings
Account. £700 9s. 8½d, on the Flaxman Terrace Account, and £318 7s. 11½d.
on the Prospect Terrace Account, making a total of £1230 4s. 1½d. now
standing to the credit of the Repairs Funds at 31st March, 1913.
UNDERGROUND ROOMS.
Underground Dwellingx. - These are controlled under the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, Sections 96, 97 and 98.
Underground Sleeping Rooms.—On the 20th December, 1911, your Council
submitted for approval to the Local Government Board a series of draft
regulations made under Section 17 (7) of the Housing and Town Planning,
&c., Act, 1909, as to underground rooms habitually used for sleeping purposes.
Section 17 (7) reads as follows:—
A room habitually used as a sleeping place, the surface of the floor
of which is more than three feet below the surface of the part of the
street adjoining or nearest to the room, shall for the purposes of this
section be deemed to be a dwelling house so dangerous or injurious to
health as to be unfit for human habitation, if the room either—
(a) is not on an average at least seven feet in height from floor to
ceiling; or
(b) does not comply with such regulations as the local authority, with
the consent of the Local Government Board, may prescribe for
securing the proper ventilation and lighting of such rooms, and
the protection thereof against dampness, effluvia, or exhalation :
Provided that if the local authority, after being required to do
so by the Local Government Board, fail to make such regulation
or such regulations as the Board approve, the Board may
themselves make them, and the regulations so made shall have
effect as if they had been made by the local authority with the
consent of the Board.
Provided that a closing order made in respect of a room to which
this sub-section applies shall not prevent the room being used for purposes
other than those of a sleeping place ; and that, if the occupier of the room