London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hillingdon 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hillingdon]
This page requires JavaScript
94
Environmental Health
Although there are approximately 2,100 houses in the Borough still lacking in one or more of the standard amenities, this represents a minor problem compared with conditions existing over the country as a whole, or even in the South East.
| Region | Houses lacking one or more of standard amenities as a percentage of total stock in each region |
|---|---|
| North of England | 28 |
| South East | 21 |
| Hillingdon | 3.3 |
(b) Houses outside Improvement Areas
This year better use has been made by occupiers of tenanted dwellings to exercise their right to
make representations to the Council to require the landlord to provide standard amenities. Seventeen
applications were received during the year compared with 2 in 1967 and this is no doubt due to the
advice given to tenants by public health inspectors who have visited the dwellings concerned for
various reasons.
Details of applications received during 1968 and the action taken is shown below:—
Dwellings outside Improvement Areas
1. Number of representations made by tenants 17
2. Number of Preliminary Notices served (full standard) 3
3. Number of Immediate Improvement Notices (full standard) ... 3
4. Number of dwellings improved:
(a) full standard 2
(b) reduced standard —
The position with the 17 representations is as follows:—
applications applied for grant by owners 3
house found to be unfit and being dealt with by way of "Closure" 1
house being purchased by the Council as part of a redevelopment
scheme 1
representation withdrawn as the tenant was seriously ill 1
negotiations with the owners in progress prior to formal action 11
Improvement Grants
The one application for a Discretionary Grant received was withdrawn by the applicant to avoid
compliance with the 12 point scheme of fitness.
The Standard Grant Scheme, which is more applicable in this area because of the type of property
that exists has appealed mostly to owner-occupiers. Tenanted houses which have been improved
with this type of grant have been predominantly in Improvement Areas where statutory action has
been taken.
It is surprising that many tenants do not wish to have the improvements carried out. Old age
and not wanting the inconvenience of a temporary upset in the home, together with increased rents,
are some of the reasons why tenants do not wish to avail themselves of a chance to enjoy better