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A dwelling house is deemed to be overcrowded if the " permitted number" as
determined in accordance with one or other of the following tables, whichever is the less, is
exceeded:—
(a) Where a house consists of : —
(i) One room 2 persons
(Who must be of same sex unless under 10 years of age,
or husband and wife).
(ii) Two rooms 3 persons.
(iii) Three rooms 5 persons.
(iv) Four rooms 7½ persons.
(v) Five rooms 10 persons
With an additional two persons in respect of each room in excess of five ; or
(b) The aggregate number obtained by reckoning for each room a number of persons as
follows : —
(i) 110 sq. ft. or more 2 persons,
(ii) 90 sq. ft. but less than 110 sq. ft. 1½ persons.
(iii) 70 90 „ 1 person.
(iv) 50 „ ,, „ „ 70 „ ½ person.
(v) Less than 50 sq. ft. Nil.
In making these reckonings no account is to be taken of a child under one year of age,
while children between the ages of one and ten arc reckoned as half units.
The " appointed day " after which the provisions of the Act relating to overcrowding
were in force was fixed by the Minister of Health for 1st January, 1938.
As from that date the effect of the Act is to make overcrowding as defined above
illegal in the Borough under the following circumstances: —
(a) If a house or part of a house having become empty, is let so as to be overcrowded ;
(b) If overcrowding continues after suitable alternative accommodation has been offered.
HOUSING CONDITIONS.
One of the chief problems presented by present-day housing conditions in the
Borough is the overhaul and reconditioning in the light of modern standards of the many
houses that are unsuitable for demolition, but do not, largely as a result of neglect and hard
wear, and partly as a result of the manner in which they are now let, conform to modern
standards.
Slum conditions readily establish themselves in houses of this type and every effort
should be made to prevent an increase of such conditions in St. Pancras as a result of gravitation
from other parts of London as extensive demolition of slum property takes place.
The Local Authority possesses powers not only to prevent slumming but to improve
existing housing conditious. These powers are given under the following : —
(a) The overcrowding provisions of the Housing Act, 1936.
(b) The Rye-laws relating to houses let in lodgings, especially in regard to decontrolled
houses.
(c) Powers in relation to closure of underground rooms and parts of houses that are unfit
for human habitation.
(d) Reconditioning of houses not fit for human habitation when this can be done at
reasonable cost (Section 9, Housing Act, 1936).
(e) Demolition of such houses when reconditioning cannot be done at reasonable cost
(Section 12, Housing Act, 1936).