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134
the present time (June) notice of intention to register has
been served in respect of 546 houses, irrespective of 956 houses
already registered. Notice of intention to register has proved
distasteful to many " landlords," and some of them have " stated
in writing reasons why the house should not be registered; " but
almost without exception the "reason" stated has simply been
" objection" to registration, based usually on a mistaken
supposition that by registration the " registered house " would
become a " common lodging-house," subject to police inspection,
and stigmatised in a manner likely to diminish its letting
value.* It is hardly necessary to say that these evils are purely
imaginary. The register is a quasi-private document; no intimation
of registration is given excepting to the parties immediately
interested; to wit, the "owner," the "keeper" (i.e., the
occupier; but in the case of a tenement-house the "owner" is
" keeper" also), and the lodgers. So far from registration
injuring property, I believe it will come to be regarded as a
guarantee that the house is in good sanitary condition, viz.: when
time shall have permitted the carrying out of your Vestry's
" Instructions " foe the guidance of the Sanitary
Inspectors in regard to the sanitary arrangements of registered
houses, which require them to see :—
* The Vestry's " notice " to the landlord of intention to register might have
prevented such a mistake. It is as follows :—" Sanitary Act, 1866, 29 & 30 Vic.,
cap. 90, sec. 35 ; and Sanitary Law Amendment Act, 1874, 37 & 38 Vic., cap. 89.
sec. 47.—I have to inform you that the Vestry propose to Register the house
described as of which you are the ' landlord,' in conformity with the
provisions of the above-cited Acts. I forward herewith a copy of the Regulations
made by the Vestry, and confirmed by the Local Government Board, for Houses
let in lodgings, and Registered. On page 2 you will find a summary of the
sections of the Acts referring to the subject. To prevent mistake, I am to inform
you that the registration of a house will not make it a Common Lodging House
under the provisions of the Common Lodging Houses Acts, which are administered
by the Police Authorities ; that there will be nothing affixed to the house
to indicate that it is registered; and that so far from any disadvantage
attaching to a house because it is registered, the Vestry are of opinion that the
fact of registration may rather be expected to add to the value of the house, byproving
that it is in good sanitary condition. Should you, after the above
explanation, desire to state, for the information of the Vestry, any reasons why
the above-described house should not be registered, you will please do so ("in
writing) within fourteen days."