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been experienced in houses inadequately equipped and occupied by large numbers of
persons, usually immigrants, and all allegedly having some family relationship. The
power to take part of a house out of use for living accommodation either by means of
an undertaking or by the making of a closing order so that the remainder of the house
may be provided with suitable means of escape from fire at reasonable cost is
considered useful. To this end it has always been the practice, where this could be
arranged, to accept undertakings to take out of use lettings on the top floors of three
storey houses and so simplify the fire precaution works involved.
The introduction of "special grants", at the local authority's discretion for the
installation of standard amenities in houses in multiple occupation with a degree of
sharing of amenities where conversion into self contained dwellings is not feasible,
is particularly welcomed. Difficulty has often been experienced in the past to persuade
owners to provide bathrooms in multi-occupied houses when no offer of financial
assistance could be given in respect of the improvements.
In October 1965 the Council adopted comprehensive standards in respect of
facilities and amenities to be applied in houses in multiple occupation. In the light of
the experience gained since that time it is now felt to be appropriate to reconsider
these standards in order to see what amendments are needed, and, at the same time,
consideration will be given to the desirability or otherwise of introducing a registration
scheme having regard to the extensions given to Section 22 of the Housing Act
1961 by the new legislation.
There are many multi-occupied houses in the Borough often of the bed-sitting
room type providing for the single person which, if well maintained, help to fulfil a
housing need not otherwise satisfied. There are some clearly defined and well
established sectors, namely in parts of Cricklewood, Childs Hill and Golders Green
where relatively high concentrations of multi-occupations are found. There are also
many smaller groups and individual houses throughout the Borough which are not so
readily identified and which may well conceal some of the most adverse conditions.
During the year, a Control Order, which had been made by one of the constituent
authorities immediately before the formation of the present Borough in April, 1965,
was revoked and the property handed back to the owners with vacant possession.
210 houses in multiple occupation were inspected in detail and 53 have been
equipped and repaired so as to make them suitable for the number of individuals or
families in occupation.
One most important matter, namely the need of means of escape from fire, calls
for comment and special emphasis.
In the houses inspected there had been an almost total neglect to carry out work
to provide means of escape from fire, regardless of the number of persons at risk.
The hazard from fire in older type properties occupied by several families is much
increased by the multiplicity of means of cooking, space heating and the sometimes
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