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(c) Houses in Multiple Occupation:
Defined as houses occupied by persons who do not form a single
household they are causing problems for many Local Authorities. The
amenities these houses require include natural and artificial lighting;
ventilation, water supply; personal washing facilities; sanitary conveniences;
facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal
of waste water; installations for space heating or for the use of space heating
appliances. Unfortunately, many of these houses possess a general lack of
amenity, disrepair, overcrowding, danger and general squalor. Within this
area few such houses are found but to prevent their proliferation they are
searched for and the owners encouraged to take advantage of the grants which
are available to provide suitable units of accommodation. If an owner does
not wish to improve his property a direction is given which reduces the
occupancy to suit the amenities provided by prohibiting, when any person
ceases to reside in the house, any other person "taking up residence until
the appropriate level is reached.
(d) Overcrowding:
The statutory standard for overcrowding is laid down in the Housing
Act 1957, this standard has not improved since 1936 and cannot be believed to
be an adequate standard for the present time. In 1936 when the problem of
overcrowding was acute the standard offered much improvement but now, 35 years
later, is obviously out-dated. A house consisting of 2 living rooms and 3
bedrooms may acconmodate 3 couples each having 2 children under the age of 10
years and any number of infants under the age of 1 year, and still have room
for a lodger. However, the Housing Act 1957 states that what accommodation
for overcrowded families is provided by the Local Authority such a 3 bedroomed
house would only provide accommodation for 5 persons. It seems logical that
a similar standard ought to be introduced as a basis for all overcrowding.
3. FOOD AND DRUGS
(a) Sampling:

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