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One of the current problems with many of the older properties is,
undoubtedly, the high cost of repairs, and in turn, the ease with which
it is possible for an owner to prove, in cases where the rent is controlled,
that the dwelling is beyond repair at a reasonable cost. In these cases a
Closing Order often results which, in itself, assists the owner to obtain
possession, leaving him with a property that is often capable of being
modernised and avilable for either sale or letting at a decontrolled rental.
Many dwellings that are providing useful and desirable accommodation
today have, in fact, been modernised and thoroughly reconditioned following
initial action under the Closing Order provisions of the Housing
Acts.
The following is a summary of the results of the action taken during
the year under the Housing Acts:—
(1) No. of Dwellings Reported—Sec. 16/17 Housing Act 2
29 Church Road—Vacated before Order made.
95 High Street, Edgware.
(2) No. of Closing Orders Made 3
111A Headstone Drive.
Armoury Cottages, Stanmore Common.
17 Nelson Road.
(3) No. of Families rehoused from dwellings subject of a
Clearance, Closing or Demolition Order 6
(4) No. of Properties Demolished 3
6 Canons Cottages.
37 Northolt Road.
30 Milton Road
(5) No. of Unfit Properties reconditioned and Closing Orders
lifted 5
2 Grove Hill Road.
8 Headstone Road.
25 Mead Road.
19 Little Common.
300 Everton Court, Honeypot Lane.
Overcrowding.
During 1965 the position in respect of overcrowding continued to
improve. Year by year since 1949, when the register contained details of
628 cases, the number has fallen, and on the 31st December 1964 it was 12.
During 1965 10 cases of overcrowding were abated, 6 by the Council
finding other accommodation for the family concerned and 4 by other
means: 9 new cases were added to the register over this period, leaving 11
on the register at the end of the year.
In 4 of these cases the overcrowding results from families occupying
rooms and in the other 7 the whole house is involved.