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71
Dirty and defective ceilings and walls; defective floors;
dampness; insanitary w.c.'s; windows not made to open;
insufficient wash-house accommodation; insanitary yards, etc.,
were amongst the most common of the defects discovered.
It is a common complaint by owners that after they have
done what they can to put a house into proper repair, the
indolence and dirty habits of tenants often stultifies all the
good that has been effected; and I feel sure there is no one
with much experience of house-to-house inspection who would
refuse to endorse this. We bring the greatest pressure to
bear upon tenants whenever they are the persons at fault,
but reform dn the habits of the people is a slow process,
although possibly if more attention were given to the teaching
of personal and domestic hygiene during the school curriculum
the pace might be quickened.
Damp Houses.
Action was taken during the year 1912 in respect of some
new villas which had been let and occupied before the walls
were reasonably dry. The walls of the houses dn question were
so wet as to render the dwellings, in my opinion, quite unfit
for habitation, and a representation to that effect was made
under Clause 90 of the Byelaws with respect to New Streets
and Buildings. Representatives of the owners appeared
before the Public Health Committee to show cause why the
buildings should not be closed, but it was eventually agreed
that the owners should take immediate steps to obtain vacant
possession of the premises and not to allow them to be reoccupied
until the Medical Officer of Health certified that the
walls were reasonably dry.
During last year only 1 such case was dealt with, the
premises in question being some new flats erected in High
Street, North Finchley. The owner of the premises was communicated
with on the matter, and he agreed not to allow
tenants to occupy the premises until the walls were reasonably
dry.