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Overcrowding based on the standard of the Bye-laws for
houses let in lodgings, was found to exist as follows:—

It will thus be seen that in the 248 houses inspected in
detail, overcrowding was found to exist to the extent of 40 adults
and 45 children.
(b) The difficulty with regard to overcrowding is two-fold.
There is a general shortage of houses, more especially of the
working class type. This applies at the moment to nearly all
urban areas. in addition there is the economic difficulty in the
case of a large number of people who are unable to afford the
rent of an entire house for the accommodation of themselves
and their families. Many of these people (especially those who
are unemployed or partially employed) are only able to afford
the rent of part of a house. Consequently two and three
families not infrequently live in the same house.
The economic factor is undoubtedly of great importance.
It is responsible to a large extent for the concentration of the
overcrowding to certain areas in the district.
(4) Fitness of Houses.
(a) No difficulties have been experienced during 'the year
in taking action under the Public Health Actis in dealing with
housing conditions. Only in one instance was action taken
under Section 3 of the Housing Act of 1925. In this case the
work was finally carried out by the owner.
(b) It has not been necessary to adopt any special measures
for the purpose of dealing with insanitary property. Speaking
generally, house property in Wimbledon is of a very satisfactory
type. Sanitary defects are dealt with as they arise under the
Public Health Acts.
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