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42
FITNESS OF HOUSES.
General standard of housing.—Fair.
General character of defects found in dwelling-houses inspected.—Leaking
drains, broken soil and ventilating pipes, w.c.
flushing cisterns and pipes out of order, cracked and broken w.c.
pans, broken, cracked and porous sinks, defective waste pipes,
defective roofs, gutters and rain pipes, absence of, or defective
yard paving, defective plaster of walls and ceilings, want of ventilation
under ground floors, damp walls, dirty walls and ceilings.
Instances of these conditions being due to proven acts of
waste or neglect by tenants are very rare. Advice is given by the
Sanitary Inspectors where conditions are obviously the result of
lack of knowledge.
No serious difficulties have occurred in remedying unfitness.
Where lack of funds appear to be the cause extension of time is
given, and in some cases action has been taken under Housing
Acts.
UNHEALTHY AREAS.
Lea Bridge Gardens.—Of the unfit houses in this area 12 have
been demolished by the owner. 6 temporary huts have been provided
by the owner for 6 families, occupiers of the other 6
demolished having found accommodation elsewhere.
BYE-LAWS RELATING TO HOUSES, ETC.
(1) As to working of existing Bye-laws.—The Council have
no bye-laws relating to houses let in lodgings, etc.
(2) As to need for new Bye-laws or revision of existing Byelaws.—In
my opinion at the present time, in view of the difficulties
in obtaining alternative accommodation, it would be useless to
adopt bye-laws. I understand that in districts where these byelaws
are in force such endless difficulties have arisen as to render
them nugatory.
HOUSING STATISTICS.
UNFIT DWELLING-HOUSES.
I.—Inspection.
(1) Total number inspected for housing defects
(under Public Health and Housing Acts) 4110
(2) Number inspected and recorded under Housing
(Inspection of District) Regulations, 1910, or
Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 1317