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34
the Borough, the property in which is deteriorating year
by year. These houses will eventually become slums unless
the downward trend is checked. Unfortunately, it is difficult
to awaken the conscience of some landlords to the needs
of their property without some action by the local authority.
Equally so, it is hard to understand why some tenants consistently
keep their houses in such a deplorable state. It
is really unnecessary to say that these classes of people,
both owners and tenants, resent the local authority carrying
out its duty, and they do not attempt to conceal their
opinions.
In a brief report of this kind, however, one cannot discuss
the housing problem of to-day fully. I have mentioned
one particular class of owner but, fortunately, there is the
more usual type who welcomes the assistance of the local
authority. As an example, I should like to refer to some
property in what is regarded as a mean street in Norbiton
The houses referred to have improved year by year, and
the owner is co-operating with your Council in the endeavour
to reduce the overcrowding, which has existed for years.
During 1928 these houses have been redecorated throughout,
the roofs have been stripped and re-slated where necessary
and several of the chimney stacks have been renewed. Floors
have been renewed, and woodwork painted throughout.
The total cost of the work amounted to some hundreds of
pounds, and it has been carried out without the need for any
formal action by the Corporation. Many of the houses were
sublet room by room, but gradually this condition is being
changed, and the owner has given instructions that as and
when rooms are vacated, they shall not be re-let separately.
This particular class of property needs frequent inspection
if the efforts of the owners are to bear good results. Owing
to the inadequate staff, however, it is not possible to devote
the requisite attention to the area.
In these houses one can find the kind of tenant I have
referred to above, yet, despite this fact and the lack of
domestic convenience in the houses, some of the occupants
display a remarkable determination to have clean homes,
and they succeed. There is hope that the spirit shown by
the landlord to whom I have referred may result in a general
uplift amongst the less desirable tenants of the houses.
The term "slum area" is used very frequently these
days, and it may not be out of place to mention it here.
In my opinion the word "slum" is used much too freely
and without regard to what a real slum is. I venture to say