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The most serious and potentially dangerous conditions arising from multiple occupation
are to be found in the larger three or more storied type of property and in houses occupied by
immigrants. But this is a generalisation which must not be taken too literally. Fire hazard
is particularly associated with immigrants irrespective of the size of the house in which they
live and it is also known that there are many serious cases of multiple occupation in two
storied property. It was decided to concentrate on these aspects of the problem and to initiate
action on the important question of means of escape in case of fire and of fireproofing.
The findings of the survey confirmed that multiple occupation and immigrants present
the Department with a formidable problem which will obviously get progressively worse. A
conservative estimate of the number of houses in multiple occupation in the borough would be
in the region of 8,000, of which 2,000 are likely to be of the type of multiple occupation
envisaged by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government in the proposals for legislation
outlined in the White Paper "Old Houses into New Homes" (Cmnd.3602).
The co-ordinated measures required to deal with this aspect of the housing situation
is in accord with current housing problem which places emphasis on repair, renovation and
improvement of the existing housing stock rather than on wholesale demolition and redevelopment.
As such it demands equal priority of thought and action.
To overtake arrears of cases of multiple occupation revealed by the survey and
requiring detailed investigation, to keep abreast of new cases arising and to pursue a rigorous
follow-up procedure would require the full time services, for an indefinite period, of at least
four additional Inspectors.
Slum Clearance Redevelopment - A Public Inquiry in respect of Stage I of the Acacia
Road Area was held on the 3rd April, 1968, and confirmed with modifications by the Minister
of Housing and Local Government on Nth October, 1968. This area consists of 11 clearance
areas and added lands sited on 3.79 acres.
Stage II of the Acacia Road Area was officially represented to the Council on the
6th February, 1968 and a Public Inquiry was conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Local
Government on the 30th October, 1968. The result is awaited. This area consists of eight
clearance areas and added lands sited on 2.95 acres.
Individual Unfit Properties - Having regard to the extent of repairs necessary and
anticipated life of the properties concerned, 47 council owned dwellings and 2 part dwellings
were certified as being unfit and not repairable at reasonable expense. Four houses and ten
parts of houses were reported to the Housing Committee as being unfit and not capable at a
reasonable expense of being rendered fit and the Housing Committee authorised procedure
under Section 16 of the Housing Act, 1957. Five Closing Orders were made during the year
and ten Undertakings were accepted by the Council in lieu of Closing Orders. In two instances
extensive works were undertaken by the owners and one Closing Order was cancelled and one
Undertaking determined.
Basement Accommodation - A register of basements/underground rooms within the
borough was compiled during the year. 235 visits were made to 188 underground rooms and
the conditions in nine instances were reported to the Housing Committee.
Whilst a number of the remaining basements do not fully comply with the Underground
Room Regulations the degree of deficiency does not warrant closure procedure and subsequent
loss of housing accommodation.
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