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respects dry". This subtle alleviation is noteworthy in relation to dampness,
undoubtedly the commonest and yet the most difficult of all
housing defects to remedy. It suggests a more sensible approach to a
condition of infinite variety and degree of importance, and one which
appears to invite over emphasis in assessing standards of fitness.
Attention having been focussed on the older properties and the
need to maintain such houses in habitable condition, it was satisfying to
be able to report that this aspect of the problem had not been overlooked
in this Borough in recent years, for since 1946 we have used the considerable
powers already available in established Housing Law to maintain
those houses falling by age and neglect into dilapidation and
disrepair. We had already broken the back of our local problem,
although there still remain many houses to be dealt with. It should be
made clear that this work related only to maintenance, and not to added
amenity.
It was somewhat unfortunate that the publicity given to this
Council's reception of the White Paper, and the new Housing Act,
embraced references to "slums" in Beckenham. This received much
prominence and it is proper to record the indignant objections expressed
by the owners and tenants of many of the properties identified in this
connection.
The work had nevertheless proceeded and in the year 1954 another
fifty was added to the total of repaired properties which now stands at
388.
With the full support of the additional legislation, and an adequate
staff, this work may more easily be continued, and it is to be hoped that
the possibility of improvement of many of these properties by the addition
of modern amenities will not be overlooked.
The Housing Act, 1954, did not come into operation until August of
that year and it is too early to report fully upon its usefulness. The
indications, however, arc that Owners are not anxious to take action
which automatically invites the close inspection of their properties by the
Local Authority. And, unfortunately, there had been little response by
the end of the year to the facilities now available for the improvement of
properties.
Statistical information, relating to the work of the Inspectors,
is appended :—