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29
In many instances it is quite evident that occupation was commenced
in the full light of all the circumstances, unsatisfactory
though they may have been, and until housing assumes a different
appearance it may well be as impossible as it might be unfair to
deal with cases of this type before those in which occupiers, through
no fault of their own, have been forced for long to live under bad
conditions with a minimum of amenities.
Sub-let Houses.
Instances are evident in which houses of very ordinary average
type have been divided for separate family use.
However well intentioned that may have been, the result is not
always happy ; when one observes the landing as the site of election
for cooking facilities the wisdom of this improvised planning is at
once open to question.
Houses intended for eventual splitting should ideally be so
planned at the outset but should in any event ensure that each
family would receive such amenities in regard to their part of the
house as they would enjoy if they occupied the whole house. Since
a bath, electric light, or gas do not appear at present to be legally
enforceable in a dwelling, it is evident that even this standard is
not unduly imaginative.
The degree of friction amongst families sharing a house often
seems directly proportionate to the number of services they are
forced to share.
Squatting.
Mention might be made of this practice, not because of its
present importance but because to disregard it might omit eloquent
comment on our times.
It might be described as the unauthorised occupation of suitable—or
more often unsuitable—premises by persons determined to
emphasize their urgent need for re-housing by methods not legally
provided for so doing.
The Public Health aspect of this matter obtrudes itself very
clearly. Potential and very often actual nuisance can be caused to
neighbouring residents by the occupation of premises not designed
for habitation and consequently deplorably lacking the amenities
associated therewith.
It is necessary, therefore, that when these cases do arise steps
should be taken, both in the communal and personal interest, to
ensure the termination of the tenancies without delay. It is not in
the interest of the families concerned that they should be allowd
to remain under such deplorable conditions.
A difficult problem has confronted the Council in this connection
but fortunately it is now near complete solution.