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Housing Inspection.
Inspection by the Local Authority of working class
houses is a requirement by statute. This is done in order
to keep such property up to the standard of working class
property in the area, but where the owner takes an
interest in his property this inspection would appear to
be superfluous. However, it is noteworthy that in 1934,
200 houses were inspected under the regulations, and a
further 1,217 houses were inspected on complaint or for
other purposes, and that these houses showed 3,784
defects and nuisances based on the standard of the
Housing Acts. This indicates that not every owner is
interested in the maintenance of his property in a good
state of repair, but the fact that no less than 692 were
rendered fit by co-operation between landlords and the
sanitary inspectors reflects the willingness of owners to
have these properties re-conditioned. The proposed
Housing Act which will come into force apparently in
1935, will add to the duties of the inspectors and place
further burden on the house owner.
By reference to Appendix VII. and Appendix VIII.,
which have been submitted by Mr. G. E. Woods, Chief
Sanitary Inspector, an indication is given of the number
and nature of defects and nuisances discovered and
remedied. No less than 3,830 visits were made to houses