View report page

48
Overcrowding.— The number of dwelling rooms found to be overcrowded during
the year was 29, as against 40 in 1914.
In every case discovered a notice was served, and in all a remedy was found.
Underground Rooms.— The total number of underground rooms dealt with in
1915 was 6. The 6 notices served were in respect of rooms illegally used as
sleeping rooms, as they failed to comply with the regulations made by the Council
under Section 17 (7) of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909.
Customs and Inland Revenue Acts.
Possibly because of the increase in the various rates, a larger number of
applications for a certificate qualifying for exemption from or reduction in inhabited
house duty was received.
The situation of the premises and the number of tenements affected were :
Premises. Number of Tenements.
372, Edgware Road 3
31-60, Hanover Gate Mansions 3
17 & 18, Nassau Street 1
6 & 8, Blandford Street, Buckland House 6
13
NUISANCES.
During the greater part of the year, five district inspectors were at work, and it
was not till November that it became necessary to rearrange the work and districts
to allow of the four inspectors who remained taking over the duties of those who
had. enlisted.
The total number of complaints received was 1021, as against 1,747 in 1914.
The majority of these were made by the inspectors; the number from outside being
345. These came from voluntary workers of the St.Marylebone Health Society,
members of Care Committees, neighbours and others.
In respect of nuisances, 249 statutory notices were issued, as against 216 in
1914. Of these notices, 150 related to ordinary nuisances (dirt, dampness, &c.) 21 to
verminous rooms, 53 to drains, and 1 to insufficient w.c. accommodation. The
remaining 21 were served on owners to provide a proper and sufficient supply of
water to the upper storeys of tenement houses, under the London County Council
(General Powers) Act of 1907. The number of such notices in 1914 was 31.
The 21 notices respecting verminous rooms were served under powers granted by
the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1904, and referred to 20 rooms.
The number of notices in 1914 was 20.