London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Sutton 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Sutton]
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5.1 HOUSING
In Sutton it is becoming financially viable to improve and renovate even the most
badly maintained properties. It is, therefore, unlikely that in the next few years more
than a handful of houses will be the subject of Clearance Order procedures or Demolition
Orders. Many of the sub-standard houses remaining in the Borough are being dealt with
as part of the Town Centre Re-development Scheme.
Public Health Inspectors' will continue to have an interest in the state of repair
and standards of fitness of rented houses in the private sector of ownership. It is a pity
that standards of fitness which can be enforced do not embrace a requirement that the
full range of standard amenities must be available to every householder. It is hoped
that the London House Improvement Campaign scheduled for 1972 will result in a big
increase of applications for grants to bring older properties to modern standards.
5.2 INSPECTION AND ACTION UNDER STATUTORY POWERS
| Total Number of Properties Affected | |
|---|---|
| Total Number of dwelling houses inspected for Housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) | 9,591 |
| Number of inspections for the purpose | 11,977 |
| Number of dwelling houses found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation | 440 |
| Number of dwelling houses in respect of which informal notices were served requiring repairs | 440 |
| Number of dwelling houses in which defects remedied | 397 |
5.3 FORMAL ACTION UNDER THE HOUSING AND PUBLIC HEALTH ACTS
The number of houses in respect of which formal notices were served requiring
repairs:-
| Housing Acts | Public Health Acts | |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Notices served | - | 55 |
| Rendered fit after service of Formal Notices | ||
| By Owners | 1 | 19 |
| By Local Authorities in default of owners | - | 22 |
Formal Notices were served under the following Acts
Public Health Act, 1936 - Section 24 30
Public Health Act, 1936 - Section 39 7
Public Health Act, 1936 - Section 93 17
Public Health Act, 1936 - Section 277 4
Public Health Act, 1961 - Section 17 1
Housing Act, 1957 - Section 159 7
Housing Act, 1957 - Section 170 5
One clearance area was declared effecting three properties. Eight houses were
demolished in clearance areas. One Closing Order was made during the year.
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