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14
SECTION D.
HOUSING.
The survey under the Housing Act, 1935, which was commenced in December, 1935, was
continued during the early months of the year. As a report on this survey was submitted in May,
1936, it is only necessary to give a summary in this report.
The number of houses surveyed was 6,958, containing 8,113 separate families.
The information was obtained by a visit of an officer to each house, and in every case
measurements were obtained whether or not overcrowding was found. The value of this has been
proved by subsequent experience, as it has been possible to furnish the necessary information as
to the number of persons permitted to occupy any house inspected, not only without delay but
with the knowledge that this information was based on actual measurements.
At the survey, 143 houses were found to be overcrowded, the percentage of overcrowded
dwellings to the total investigated being 1.76 per cent. Of these, 12 families were removed to
council houses during the year, and 15 obtained other accommodation, leaving 116 to be dealt
with. To these must be added 12 which were found to be overcrowded subsequent to the survey,
so that at the end of the year 128 dwellings were known to be overcrowded.
The inspection of the district for the purposes of discovering dwellings which were in
part or completely unfit for human habitation was continued, and 44 were represented as being
incapable of repair at a reasonable expense. Of these 12 were basements and 2 parts of houses
other than basements. Closing orders were made in respect of 10 of these. In three cases
undertakings not to use the basement for human habitation were accepted, and in one case a
closing order was not made as the dwelling was to be demolished in the near future.
During the year demolition orders were made in respect of 31 other unfit houses.
Following is a summary of the housing work carried out during the year;
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) 786
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose 896
(2) (a) Number of dwelling-houses (included under sub-head (1)
above) which were inspected and recorded under the
Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 110
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose 220
(3) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous
or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation 44
(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 5
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 404
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 13
(2) Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after
service of formal notices :—
(a) By owners 11
(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 31
(2) Number of dwelling-houses demolished in pursuance of Demolition
Orders 22