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Forty-four converted flats on the Dane Road Estate have had separate cold water
systems installed as a precaution against frost damage. New hot water heating by gas has
therefore been installed in the twenty-two ground floor flats.
Electric power points have been installed in the living rooms in one hundred and
seventy-four pre-war houses where no points existed, and it is hoped to complete all outstanding
work on this project by the end of March, 1965.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
At the end of the year, 805 houses had been ascertained to be let in lodgings or occupied
by members of more than one family.
The Council's policy, adopted towards the end of 1963, of giving a Direction under
Section 19 of the Housing Act, 1961, to every house in multiple occupation, was continued
during the year, and 552 Directions were made.
The effect of a Direction is to fix the maximum number of persons for which a house
is suitable, having regard to the facilities available, and in cases where this number is
exceeded at the time the Direction is made, it is an offence to replace any individuals who
may subsequently leave. Directions are made in connection with every house in multiple
occupation, even if the number of occupants is not excessive.
Where premises are occupied by excessive numbers, Notices under Section 90 of the
Housing Act, 1957, are served so as to obtain a reduction in the number of occupants
before a Direction is made. Thirty-nine of these Notices have been served during the year
and in 5 cases owners were prosecuted for non-compliance and fined a total of £59 plus
£15.15.0 costs.
Section 19(9) of the Housing Act, 1961, enables a notice to be served on the occupier
of a house in multiple occupation on which a Direction is in force, requiring him to furnish
details of occupants. Four hundred and nine of these notices have been served during the
year and 3 occupiers who failed to return them were fined a total of £15 with £6.6.0. costs.
In 16 cases notices under Section 16 of the Housing Act, 1961, were served. These
notices required the provision of adequate means of escape from fire and the works specified
were based on the recommendations of the Middlesex County Council Fire Department.
A fine of £5 with £2.2.0 costs was imposed under Section 160 of the Housing Act,
1957, for the obstruction of a Public Health Inspector.
Middlesex County Council Act, 1944—Section 345
The caravan site at the junction of Regina Road and Pluckington Place continued to
be used as the winter quarters of a member of the Showmen's Guild.
New Housing
The following details have been supplied by the Borough Engineer, outlining the complete
amount of house building for Southall since the end of the war:—