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Meanwhile, matters requiring urgent attention will continue to be dealt with by routine
procedure; this includes any action necessary with respect to unfit properties.
12. MULTIPLE OCCUPATION - NEW STATUTORY CONTROL PROVISIONS
The powers available to the local authority to control and improve conditions in houses
in multiple occupation have been considerably strengthened by the amendments to the Housing
Acts of 1961/64 in Sections 59/63 of the new Act.
Generally speaking, the powers in relation to repair, provision of facilities, improvement
and permitted occupation of such houses should, if properly administered, prove to be adequate
to deal with conditions in areas where the majority of multiple occupation is of the two household
category.
Where the problem of multiple occupation exists on an extensive scale and is associated
with squalor and severe housing stress, additional control measures may be applied to the
whole or part of a local authority's district by promoting a regulatory/informatory scheme under
Section 22 of the Housing Act, 1961 as extended by Section 64 of the 1969 Act.
The implications of applying a scheme of registration and control to a defined area
within a local authority's district may not be readily appreciated. Multiple occupation has no
boundaries; the effect of the stigma attached to an area, down-graded for special control, may
tend to perpetuate the squalid conditions the scheme seeks to eradicate, and at the same time
may impair public relations among the stable population of the area, particularly in the
increasing owner occupied sector. I would prefer to see these powers applied to the whole of
a local authority's district rather than to a part only, if in fact the general problem of multiple
occupation justifies such a course.
However, whatever type of scheme is adopted, the Minister requires to be fully informed
about conditions in the area. This would seem to imply that a fairly comprehensive examination
of the area under consideration will be necessary. To be really effective, such schemes
will require fairly constant and specialised attention and will thus create heavy demands on
limited staff. The pros and cons therefore, will require careful consideration before any scheme
is submitted for confirmation.
13. MULTIPLE OCCUPATION - THE SITUATION IN THE SURVEY AREA
The present survey shows that although 144 dwelling units (11.3%) are in multiple
occupation by reason of two households sharing one or more of the available facilities, only
five dwellings are occupied by more than two household. This can largely be attributed to the
restricted accommodation in the houses under survey. The majority of which are small terraced
five roomed two storied properties built originally for habitation by one family.
It can be said that no serious housing stress or squalor exists within the survey area
and it would seem that there is no justification for making a regulatory and/or informatory
scheme under the new Act.
14. MULTIPLE OCCUPATION - THE GENERAL PROBLEM
The object of a survey carried out during 1968 was to obtain a broad assessment of the
general problem of multiple occupation of houses in the borough and the extent to which
immigrants were involved.
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