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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
Relatively few houses in the borough are over-occupied and no formal action was necessary with
regard to provision of amenities. Two hundred and thirteen visits were made by public health inspectors
to houses in multiple occupation.
Slum clearance and
individual unfit
houses
Two clearance areas were confirmed by the Minister with several others awaiting confirmation.
Two new areas comprising 52 properties were reported to the Council as unfit for human habitation.
Eleven individually unfit houses were also reported, leading to seven closing orders and four demolition
orders being made.
Rent Acts 1957,
1965,1968
Housing Finance
Act 1972
The Rent Acts made provision for the regulation of tenancy, rents, security of tenure and the
restrictions on eviction. Controlled tenants have been able to apply for a Certificate of Disrepair
where their homes have been in need of repair. The Housing Finance Act 1972 brings this procedure
to an end six months before the tenancy becomes decontrolled.
Housing Act 1969
Housing Finance
Act 1972
Provision is made for rent to be regulated in dwellings with standard amenities. Landlords are able to
apply to the local authority for a qualification certificate confirming that the property is provided
with standard amenities and is in a good state of repair. With the issue of these certificates, the Rent
Officer is able to declare a regulated tenancy and fix a fair rent.
The Housing Finance Act 1972 introduced a phased programme for bringing all dwellings out of rent
control based on their rateable values. See Tables (33) and (34).
Land charges
Land Charges Act
1925
Land Charges Act
1972
Enquiries received concerning properties within the borough totalled 10,318. The necessary searches
were made and the information supplied.
Caravans
Caravan sites and
Control of
Development
Act 1960
The Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 makes provision for the licensing and
control of sites by local authorities and authorises them to provide and operate caravan sites. There
is one privately owned residential site for sixteen caravans in the borough while nine sites on nursery
land are licensed for use by employees. No sites are operated by the Council in this area.
Caravan Sites Act
1968
This Act provides protection for occupiers of residential caravans on caravan sites and requires
certain local authorities, including the London Boroughs, to provide adequate accommodation for
gipsies residing in or resorting to the area. A site providing not less than fifteen pitches is the standard
accepted by the Department of the Environment and plans for the provision of such a site are now
well advanced
The temporary site on land adjacent to the Great Cambridge Road near Turkey Street will continue in
use until the new site is available.
Middlesex County
Council Act 1944
The provision of a temporary site has not prevented the unauthorised use of vacant areas of land in
the borough and it is extremely difficult to control such use. Any open site is vulnerable and the
powers provided by this Act have not prevented continued misuse of such sites. Fines imposed by the
court have not acted as a deterrent.
Canal boats
Sections 249-258
Public Health Act
1936
Section 79
Public Health
Act 1961
The River Lea Navigation runs through the eastern extremity of the borough from north to south.
The canal boats using this waterway are for the transport of goods and are not used for residential
purposes.
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