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of registration having regard to the extensions given to Section 22 of the Housing Act
1961 by the Housing Act 1969. This has however been rejected on the grounds that the
extent and character of multi-occupation in the Borough at the present time and as it is
indicated for the foreseeable future does not warrant the making of a registration scheme.
There are certain clearly defined, and in some instances well established, sectors in
parts of Cricklewood, Childs Hill, Golders Green, Finchley and Friern Barnet where
relatively high concentrations of multi-occupation are known to exist. 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 more adverse conditions. Whilst comparatively
few complaints reach the Department from persons occupying this type of
accommodation, it is of vital importance that an adequate programme of inspection should
be maintained so as to secure the proper maintenance of such premises and the provision
of acceptable standards. It has been confirmed that this is best achieved by undertaking
house to house visits in selected areas already known to be vulnerable with detailed
inspections of all houses found to be in multi-occupation.
During the year 185 properties were inspected in this way and in consequence,
together with action initiated earlier, 34 have been equipped and repaired so as to make
them suitable for the number of individuals or families in occupation.
A Direction in accordance with Section 19 of the Housing Act 1961 was made in
respect of a house in the Cricklewood area which could not physically be provided with
adequate facilities, limiting the occupants to a number appropriate to the services
available. Similar action was contemplated in respect of a second house in East Finchley
but before formal action could be initiated the owner/occupier disbanded the five lettings
having a total of 16 persons and the house now remains in single family use.
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, regardless of the number of persons at risk or the standards
which were otherwise maintained.
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 inexpert
additions to electrical circuits. Much can be done to limit the spread of fire by making
doors and partitions fire resisting and to check the spread of flame and smoke by fire stops
and smoke screens. The Code of Practice of the Greater London Fire Brigade for means of
escape in the case of fire in houses in multiple occupation is applied and 40 houses have
been modified to such standards. Leaflets printed both in English and a number of foreign
languages are distributed when necessary, drawing attention to the added risk of fire when
paraffin heaters are used and when supplies of paraffin are stored inside a house.
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