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The Housing Assistants were asked to give evidence on certain facts
to the Rent Tribunal in several cases where it was alleged that exorbitant
rents were being charged to occupiers of houses-in-multiple occupation.
Notices numbering 45 were served under the provision of Section 90
of the Housing Act 1957 for permitting overcrowding in houses-in-multiple
occupation. 49 Summonses were issued in respect of 21 premises for contravention
of notices, resulting in fines of £165 with costs of £67.16.0
being imposed. Many visits in the late evening and early hours of the
morning are necessary to check that these notices are being complied with.
The provisions of Section 19 of the Housing Act 1961, relating to
the making of directions to prevent or reduce overcrowding, are also
being implemented.
Standard Grants and Improvements
In conjunction with officers of the Borough Engineer and Surveyor's
Department, the Housing Inspector inspected 12 premises, regarding which
applications had been made to the Council for standard or improvement
grants.
Part of a block of dwellings, erected in 1887, were modernised by
the owners with financial aid from the Council. Owners of other blocks
of flats are preparing similar schemes.
New Housing
During the year 826 new permanent dwellings were completed in the
Boroughs 115 by the Borough Council, 705 by the County Council, and six
by private enterprise. (See appendix, page 79).
A total of 9,256 new permanent dwellings have now been constructed in
the Borough since the war; 6,220 by the London County Council, 2,732 by
the Borough Council, 69 by the Corporation of London, and 233 by private
enterprise. A photograph of some 17-storey blocKS recently erected,
facing this page, illustrates Stepney's changing skyline.
At the end of the year units of accommodation owned by the Council
numbered 4,439, comprising 4,030 erected by the Council and 409 formerly
requisitioned and other premises purchased.
Statistics
A Summary of inspections made by the Housing Inspector is given on
page 69 and further Housing statistics will be found on pages 72 and 73.
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