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110
During the year two properties, namely, 27 Roxborough Road,
Harrow and 27 Burnt Oak Broadway, were made the subject of Closing
Orders and two others were reported for action pursuant to Section
16/17 of the Housing Act, 1957. Two properties were demolished, namely,
31 Byron Hill Road, Harrow and 140 College Hill Road, Harrow Weald.
One property, 92 Rickmansworth Road, was reconditioned and the Order
lifted, as provided for by Section 27 of the Housing Act, 1957.
Over the period under review 14 families were rehoused from
properties affected by either a Clearance, Demolition on or Closing Order.
Housing Standards
Over the years, and particularly during the past decade, many changes
have occurred that have had a marked effect upon housing standards. Not
the least of these changes has been the trend towards owner occupation
and it is worthy of note that many dwellings, which when tenanted were
the subject of regular complaints about condensation and minor housing
defects, on becoming owner-occupied, ceased to be heard of again. There
are, in fact, estates within the Borough where owner occupation has
raised the general standard of conditions to a degree that has had beneficial
effects far beyond the boundaries of the area concerned.
Present Position
Harrow today, by comparison with the conditions that exist in many
Boroughs, has no problem, either as regards statutory overcrowding or the
unfit dwelling. By reason of ageing and normal wastage, there will always
be a number of dwellings falling to be dealt with under the Closing Order
provisions of the Housing Act, but, until there is an all-round raising of
standards, these will be few in number—perhaps 10 to 12 per year.
The Current Problem
The problem of today and the immediate future is linked with the
property that is let to two or more families—in other words, let in
multiple occupation.
No reliable estimate can be given of the number of houses that are
let in this way, but the figure is perhaps much higher than is generally
realised and, unfortunately, it is often the older and more commodious
but inconveniently planned properties that are let in this way.
The maintenance of satisfactory standards within these properties is
often extremely difficult and, without the co-operation of the tenants, it is
impossible to prevent yards and gardens from deteriorating to nothing
more than neglected and litter strewn areas. From this point it is but a
short step to the stage when gates and fences become broken and missing,
when dogs are able to roam at will around dustbins, in short to the time
when neighbours become concerned and move, often leaving their vacated
residence to be taken over to become yet another property let to a number
of families.