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In other confirmed areas there was a small number of re-classifications from "unfit" to "not unfit".
These were mostly owner/occupied houses and almost all were the subjects of intense repair
operations immediately before the Public Inquiry.
Many objections were received in respect of properties in the Compulsory Purchase Orders, but it
is noteworthy that although objections to classification continued as in former years, the proportion
of objections to the Compulsory Purchase Orders was at a reduced level. Indeed, at the Public
Inquiry in respect of High Cross Court all the properties were the subject of objection against
classification but, perhaps through experience, there were no objections to purchase by the Council.
In the event, no objectors appeared at the Public Inquiry and all the houses were confirmed as
"unfit".
The list of areas of houses where there was reason to believe that they might require to be dealt
with by clearance and which formed the Provisional Clearance Area Programme commencing April
1965 has been revised and brought up to date. The Provisional Programme now shows areas which
have been represented but not yet confirmed and the remaining areas which warrant detailed
examination. Areas which have been dealt with by clearance and other areas which on examination
were found not to be clearance area subjects have been deleted. A few areas of houses which
are known to have deteriorated have been added.
The year saw the advent of the Housing Act 1969 which came into operation on 25th August 1969.
This is an Act which amongst its provisions recognises the need for strenuous activityjn maintaining
and improving the stock of houses throughout the country where and when it is reasonable to do so
and lays down procedure for that purpose.
So far as the unfitness of houses and their clearance is concerned there are two important new
matters to be taken into consideration. One is an alteration and increase in the amounts of
compensation to be made in certain cases where houses are acquired under Part III of the Housing
Act 1957, and the other is the inclusion in Section 4 of the Housing Act 1957 of "internal arrangement"
as one of the matters to be taken into account when considering the fitness or unfitness for habitation
of a dwelIing house.
The standard of fitness, which is a minimum standard, remains the same as formerly with the
exception of the above-mentioned important additional feature. It was perhaps recognised that a
higher minimum standard which would inevitably bring many more houses into an "unfit" category
would create a burden at the present time, which would over-strech remedial resources available.
Poor internal arrangement is a feature which is now taken into account in deciding whether or not a
house is unfit for habitation. In theory a house, otherwise in good condition, could be so far
defective in respect of internal arrangement that it would be unfit. Few instances are Iikely to
be met where the above circumstances obtain, but this matter, added to the others in Section 4 of
the 1957 Act, is a recognition of an important factor in the assessment of a dwelling as reasonably
fit fot habitation.
Unfit houses are not necessarily houses which would best be dealt with by demolition. Individually,
demolition of unfit houses is becoming increasingly rare. Groups or areas of unfit houses, however,
pose a more serious question in regard to demolition. The Public Health Inspector has to reach
his findings and recommendations upon the condition of each house individually and then upon the
houses collectively within an area under examination. The items (a) to (h) of Section 4 of the
1957 Act may be divided into two parts. (1). Repair, stability, dampness, internal arrangement,
natural light and ventilation and (2) water supply, drainage and sanitary conveniences and facilities
for the preparation and cooking of food. Items at (2) above, while causing or adding to unfitness,
in a built-up area like Haringey, could be rectified without great difficulty at nearly all houses.
Defective matters at (1) above may involve, where indeed possible, major alteration and repair
depending upon the degree of defectiveness.
It will be appreciated from the foregoing the significance and importance of the introduction of
internal arrangement into Section 4 of the 1957 Act. The rectification of bad internal arrangement
may be a major factor in deciding whether a house or houses would best be dealt with by clearance.
Bad design, though perhaps not by itself making a house unfit, may add to the unfitness of a house
and render it obsolete by present day standards.
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