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It is only fair to most owners to say that they recognise the unsuitability of many of these
flats as a dwelling and several have voluntarily undertaken extensive work in order to satisfy
the necessary conditions as to lighting, ventilation and freedom from dampness. Others have
not proved to be so amendable. It is an expensive matter to carry out the necessary works,
but where these have been carried out in a thoroughly satisfactory way, theowners do not appear
to have had any difficulty in letting at a satisfactory rent.
In 3 instances basement flats were represented to the local authority as being unfit for
human habitation.
In addition to the action taken in respect of underground rooms, representations were
made in respect of 16 other houses that they were unfit for human habitation and could not be
rendered so fit at a reasonable expense.
In 13 cases demolition orders were made, and as no appeal was lodged against these
decisions, the orders became operative.
In 2 instances the Authority accepted an undertaking from the owners not to permit
the use of the dwellings for human habitation until the works necessary were carried out.
In one case a Closing Order was made in respect of part of a house.
Following are the details of houses inspected during the year and action taken in
connection therewith:—
1. Inspection of Dwelling-houses during the Year—
(1) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects
(under Public Health or Housing Acts) 294
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose (excluding
re-inspections) 344
(2) (a) Number of dwelling-houses (included under sub-head (1)
above) which were inspected and recorded under the
Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 25
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose (excluding
re-inspections) 75
(3) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous
or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation 18
(4) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred to under
the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all respects
reasonably fit for human habitation 276
2. Remedy of defects during the Year without Service of formal Notices:—
Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit in consequence
of informal action by the Local Authority or their officers 260
3. Action under Statutory Powers during the Year:—
A.—Proceedings under sections 17, 18 and 23 of the Housing Acts, 1930:
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices were
served requiring repairs Nil
(2) Number of dwelling-houses which were rendered fit after service
of formal notices:—
(a) By owners Nil
(b) By local authority in default of owners Nil
B.—Proceedings under Public Health Acts:—
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices were
served requiring defects to be remedied 4
(2) Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after
service of formal notices:—
(a) By owners 3
(b) By local authority in default of owners Nil
C.—Proceedings under sections 19 and 21 of the Housing Act, 1930:—
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which Demolition Orders
were made 13
(2) Number of dwelling-houses demolished in pursuance of Demolition
Orders 5
D.—Proceedings under section 20 of the Housing Act, 1930:—
(1) Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect
of which Closing Orders were made 1
(2) Number of separate tenements or underground rooms in respect
of which Closing Orders were determined, the tenement or
room having been rendered fit Nil