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The Act of 1969 largely deals with matters relating to the repair and improvement where rehabilitation
is thought to be the best method of dealing with unsatisfactory houses either individually or in areas.
Inducement to owners to carry out the work is provided by financial reward in proportion to the
degree of neglect and deficiences at the houses.
Difficulty remains in deciding upon a standard of conditions under which clearance of houses may
be the best method of dealing with them and above which the repair and improvement of the buildings
may be more appropriate. The Ministry apparently have found it necessary to state that rehabilitation
is not a substitute for clearance, perhaps realizing the possibility of the acceptance of large twilight
areas where rehabilitation would be extensive, difficult and expensive but where clearance procedure
would not be a clearly obvious solution. The rehabilitation of fit or unfit houses which are in
reasonably sound structural condition is more easily achieved than in the case of houses which are
structurally less sound and it is hoped that houses which fall between the obviously clearance
category and the obviously rehabilitation category will not be allowed to continue to exist as unfit
or unsatisfactory dwellings indefinitely.
There is a widespread need for the repair and improvement of ageing but reasonably sound properties
and the arrest of deterioration and the raising of the standard of the stock of houses can be attained
by intensive programmes of rehabilitation provided always that rehabilitation is in fact carried out.
The following dwellings were the subject of closing or demolition orders made during the year.
These were houses or parts of houses which were unfit for habitation and could not be made fit
at reasonable expense.
73 Park Road, N.8.
1 & 2 Cleveland Villas, N.15.
83 Victoria Road, N.22.
5 & 7 Victoria Crescent, N.15.
209 High Road, N.15.
51 Truro Road, N.22.
42 Park Road, N.8.
44 Park Road, N.8.
80 Milton Park, N.6.
30 Milton Road, N.6.
37 Stanley Road, N.15.
66 Highgate High St., N.6.
68 Milton Park, N.6.
18 Victoria Crescent, N.15.
Closing Orders on houses as under-noted were determined during the year —
4 Heybourne Road, N.17. 55 North Grove, N.15.
Routine matters such as replies to "searches", interviewing members of the public and office
administration, and special investigations and reports and memoranda from other Departments were
attended to throughout the year.
Housing Improvement and Conversion
The Housing Act 1969 which came into force on 25th August 1969 offers considerable additional
incentive to house owners to take action to bring their property up to modern standards.
Many older substantial dwellings lack amenities now considered to be a necessity and may have
defects such as rising dampness, due to omissions in the original design and construction of the
premises. Generous grants are now available to owners to assist them in improving their property
and if at the same time essential repairs to the premises are needed, the cost of this may also
qualify for grant up to an amount equal to the approved cost of the improvements.
Certain older houses are now too large for present day families and are capable of conversion into
two or more self contained units of accommodation. Here too owners may be assisted by grants
from the Council which may also be paid as described above towards essential repairs carried out
at the same time. The Council has agreed that the fullest possible use should be made of the
new provisions and every encouragement and assistance given to owners to take advantage of the
enhanced grant provisions. In this way it is felt that the steady deterioration of property in wide
areas of the borough may be arrested and reversed with a probable consequent reduction in the
need for clearance and redevelopment. The revised maximum grants which are free of the 3-year
conditions applying under previous legislation, are summarised below:-
Maximum Grant
1. Improvement to 12 point standard of house normally having a life
expectancy of at least 30 years. £1,000
(Half of approved estimated expenditure on improvement and repairs)
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