View report page

44
As required by the Housing Act, 1935, a complete
survey of the district was made and with very few exceptions
every house in the district received the attention
of this department. The basis of the ascertainment was
a postal questionnaire. On receipt of the returned cards
if either overcrowding was apparent, there was evidence
that the particulars were incorrectly given or that the
question of overcrowding was doubtful, the house was
visited and in many cases the floor area of each room
ascertained by direct measurement.
In some cases the floor area was recorded by the
Rating Officer and in these instances the information
was utilised by us for fixing the " Permitted Numbers."
With regard to the abatement of overcrowding,
alternative accommodation was offered in many cases
by this Council. So far as the London County Council
Estate is concerned, however, the overcrowded families
were offered and accepted houses on other parts of the
Estate which very considerably assisted this Council.
I should like to record my appreciation of the courtesy
and valuable help received from officers of the London
County Council.
Houses Let in Lodgings.
At the end of the year there were 15 premises registered
as houses let in lodgings to which 51 visits were
paid.
Verminous Premises.
21 Dagenham Council houses and 170 other premises
were found to be infested with bugs. 14 Council houses
and 127 other premises, making a total of 141, were
disinfested.
The method adopted during the year of ridding
houses of vermin has been the application of a fluid by