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HOUSING ACTS 1957/1969
UNFIT PREMISES
Early in the year the Slum Clearance Programme 1970/73 was submitted to the Ministry of
Housing & Local Government.
It revealed that there were approximately 211 houses in small groups within the Borough,
which were in such a condition that they should be dealt with by clearance.
In addition to these there will continue to be cases where isolated properties, which are
brought to the attention of the department by complaint or survey and found to be unfit, will
require Demolition or Closing Orders.
During the year one clearance area was declared involving premises in Upton Buildings,
Chapel Hill, Crayford. The Minister confirmed Compulsory Purchase Orders for two other areas
previously declared relating to premises in Gladeswood Road, Belvedere and Nuxely Road,
Belvedere.
An area involving some 19 houses in Sidcup was surveyed and all the preliminary work was
completed but before an Official Representation was made the houses were offered by the owner
to the Council and the Council commenced negotiations for their purchase without recourse to
statutory action.
A total of 3 Demolition Orders and 15 Closing Orders were made and in two other cases
undertakings were given not to relet the properties.
IMPROVEMENT
Applications for improvement grants are passed to this department by the Town Clerk's
Department and any necessary information is given to the Borough Engineer & Surveyor's
Department.
In 5 cases tenants made representations to the Council with a view to securing the compulsory
improvement of their dwellings as their requests made to their landlords had not brought
about the improvements which they desired. In all 5 cases Immediate Improvement Notices were
served requiring the houses to be brought up to the full standard by way of providing bathrooms
and other necessary facilities. In 2 cases where Improvement Notices had been served prior to
1970 the dwellings were brought up to the required full standard during the course of the year.
HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
The number of premises falling within this category does not constitute a serious problem in
this Borough but on several occasions negotiations have been carried out with owners to secure
the conversion of the houses into self-contained flats. The premises in which multiple occupation
had occurred in the post-war period are to a large extent detached premises the sites of which are
suitable for redevelopment.
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