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a responsibility on the owner to inform the Council of any change in occupation where a suspended
notice is in operation, the Department at the end of year checked on each dwelling to ensure that no
change had occurred.
The National Building Agency, learning that we had acquired experience in implementing the
compulsory improvement powers contained in the Housing Act, 1964 wrote to the Department and asked
for information to assist them in some research they were carrying out. A questionnaire from them was
completed and an interview given to one of their consultants as well as showing him the Council's two
areas. The Agency subsequently wrote expressing their considerable appreciation.
Arnold Road Improvement Area
As stated in last year's Annual Report this area was declared in May, 1966 and by the end of that
year the procedure had commenced to secure improvements in this road. Unfortunately somewhat less
progress was made during the year than had been anticipated because effort had to be diverted to assist
in the completion of a large general housing survey in conjunction with the G.L.C., mentioned elsewhere
inthisreport. However, by the close of the year 5 dwellings had been improved to the full standard by
the provision of baths, basins, internal water closets and hot water. A total of 13 suspended notices
and 7 immediate notices had also been served.
Improvement of Houses not in an Improvement Area
During the year 6 written requests were received from tenants living in dwellings not included in
improvement areas asking that the Council should assist them in obtaining bathrooms. By the close of
the year one of these bathrooms had been provided. The Committee had interviewed the agent acting
for the owner of one of the other dwellings and anticipated receiving an official undertaking that the
work would be completed within one year. In the remaining 4 cases negotiations were continuing.
A case which had been reported to the Committee during the preceding year was satisfactorily
concluded by the provision of an internal water closet and bathroom.
Advice was also given during the year to some forty enquirers, either owners or tenants, and in
every case every assistance was given which in the majority of cases included an inspection of the
dwelling. Where the enquirer was an owner no official action is possible and no follow-up was
necessarily given, but it is known that in several cases grants were subsequently applied for, and the
work satisfactorily completed.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
Workon multipleoccupation continued throughout the year, but was hampered by the time involved
in carrying out 651 visits to houses included in the "Survey of Housing in London" carried out in
conjunction with the G.L.C. and the compilation of information required on the questionnaires as well
as by the continued shortage of staff engaged upon this work.
It was not until the end of the year that the appointment of one public health inspector to a post
which had been vacant for a considerable time, was effected, which permitted of one additional inspector
being transferred tothis work from other duties. The number of public health inspectors needed todeal
adequately with the vast problem of multiple occupation in the Borough is far greater than allowed for
within the present establishment. However, 359 houses housing about 1400 families were completely
inspected during the year under review, and, of this number, 31 were found to be satisfactory.
65 cases of penal overcrowding were discovered, but it was only found necessary to serve formal
notices for overcrowding in 12 cases.
Other items calling for attention in houses in multiple occupation necessitated the service of 247
other notices in respect of such things as choked drains, removal of refuse, and matters falling within
the scope of the Housing (Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation) Regulation 1962.
Progress continues to be made with the installation of amenities as indicated in the schedule, but
it must be appreciated that each of the amenities installed involves a considerable amount of work in
carrying out the complete inspection of all parts of a house, to which access is frequently very difficult,
often lengthy negotiations with an owner, and, quite frequently, his solicitors, long before more practical
matters, such as discussions with builders and the supervision of the work can be put in hand.
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