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Housing inspection summary
a) Total surveys and inspections carried out in 723
connection with sub-standard housing (excluding 500
house survey)
b) Clearance areas declared 2
Houses involved 12
Persons to be rehoused 15
Houses demolished within clearance areas Nil
c) Houses repaired by informal action 98
Houses repaired by formal action 18
d) Houses closed as being unfit for human
habitation 3
Houses where part closed as being unfit for
human habitation 2
e) Houses demolished under demolition orders 5
f) Closing orders determined following houses
being made fit 2
Houses in multiple occupation
The work in the sphere of houses in multiple occupation
this year has been most satisfying, particularly as the effects
of the early inspections and the service of informal notices
have begun to show themselves. There have been countless
inquiries and interviews with owners wishing to co-operate
in improving this type of accommodation and, doubtless,
they have been encouraged by the considerable assistance
given to them by way of improvement grants. There are
currently many proposals to convert properties into
self-contained flats where previously, rooms had been
rented piecemeal and all the occupants had shared very
limited facilities and amenities.
The problem of overcrowding in this type of
dwelling still exists and is dealt with either by the service of
a notice requiring the abatement of the overcrowding,
together with a direction specifying the number of persons
or families, which can legally occupy the dwelling or merely
by the service of the direction. In the former case it is usual
for the director of housing to rehouse the persons placed
at risk by our action and the latter action is taken in the less
serious cases, where the direction is enforceable
immediately the occupation is reduced naturally to the
numbers specified. Once again, it must be emphasised that
a direction is only of value when regular and routine
reinspections can be carried out to confirm that they are
being observed. The work is obviously time consuming and
because of the pressures of other housing work, could not
be effectively carried out by the existing specialist staff.
Where there is no intention to convert the house into
self-contained units, the standard requirements of the
Council relating to amenities and the means of escape in
case of fire are rigidly implemented.
There are still a great number of houses in multiple
occupation to be dealt with within this borough and
although it will be a long time before the problems are
eased, it is rewarding to record marked improvements in
this type of accommodation as a direct result of our
actions.
The following is an indication of the progress being
made in this field and summarises the conditions found and
action taken:—
a) Estimated total of houses within the
borough in multiple occupation. 10,000
b) Houses inspected to locate multiple
occupation 731
c) Houses found to be in multiple occupation 439
Units of living accommodation involved 1,466
d) Informal notices served 365
e) Informal notices complied with 91
f) Houses in which additional facilities provided 44
g) Houses in which means of escape in case of
fire provided 32
h) Properties found to be overcrowded 50
Units of living accommodation involved 59
Formal notices of intention to make a
direction served 11
Directions made 10
Formal notices to abate overcrowding
served 13
Overcrowding abated 2
i) Total visits made in respect of houses in
multiple occupation 3,520
Underground rooms
Although it was not found possible to devote the time to a
routine survey of underground rooms, five individual cases
were dealt with, where unsuitable housing conditions were
reported and closing orders were made in respect of each
of these basements. There have been eight applications for
informal approval to be given for proposed works to render
certain underground rooms fit for human habitation, so
that the Closing Order could be determined. In these cases,
plans and specifications are very carefully scrutinised and
a very high quality in both workmanship and materials is
insisted upon. Regular inspections are carried out of the
works in progress and no recommendation is made for an
order to be determined, until it has been confirmed that the
basement rooms have been brought up to the very high
standards required. This involved 93 such inspections during
the year, although no orders were determined.
Qualification certificates
Although there have been fewer applications for
qualification certificates and certificates of provision
approval, it has been necessary to carry out a high number
of re-inspections in cases, where works of repair, or of the
installation of standard amentities, have been required. It is
quite common practise for an owner or managing agent to
accept the notification of the builder that all work has been
completed and without confirming the facts for themselves,
to advise this department accordingly. In very many cases,
the work is found to be unsatisfactory or incomplete,
resulting in the necessity for still further inspections to be
made. In all probability, agents find this method of
confirming if the builder's account should be settled more
economical than employing staff of their own.
The Housing Finance Act, 1972 has amended some of
the procedures relating to qualification certificates and
difficulties and anomalies have arisen relating to certain
outstanding applications made under the Housing Act,
1969. However, these have been resolved and it is expected
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