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Clearance Areas Confirmed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government
Biggerstaff Road
Adamson Road
Ethel and Leslie Roads
Beatrice and Conway Streets
Surrey and Kent Streets
Brooks Road (No. 1).
HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS
A new problem relating to public health has arisen since the end of the War In 1945
by reason of an Influx of thousands of emigrants from such places as the West Indies, Malta
and Cyprus. It is difficult to estimate the number of emigrants from the West Indies, but
records show that there are at least 30,000 Maltese and Cypriots living within the Metropolitan
Area. The addition of so many thousands of people to the already serious housing shortage has
rendered the situation most difficult. A number of the emigrants have found accommodation in
West Ham, principally in the 3 and 4 storey houses in Upton and Park Wards. There are also a
large number of rooms let to Commonwealth students attending the local Technical Colleges.
Unfortunately a number of landlords have let the rooms in these houses without due
regard to the law in the matter or health or comfort of the occupants, inasmuch as many
families without sinks, reasonably accessible water supply, properly ventilated food
cupboards, or sufficient water closet accommodation, and in many cases overcrowding has
occurred, contrary to the provisions of the Housing Act, 1957.
It is difficult to estimate how many houses in West Ham have been let in this manner
without making a house to house inspection of the areas, a task which cannot be undertaken
owing to shortage of staff. A list of such houses has, however, been compiled from information
received, the District Inspector's knowledge of the local conditions, and from a study of
advertisements placed in shop windows.
The houses known to the Department are being inspected as time permits and the
circumstances reported to the Housing Committee. The inspection and subsequent report of
all the rooms, basements and yards of these large houses takes a considerable time, entailing
as it does taking details of all the families and lodgers, the particulars and defects of
each room, and of the existing sanitary circumstances.
The law relating to the fitness for human habitation and ovorcrowding in houseslet
-in- lodgings is dealt with in Sections 36 and 90 respectively of the Housing Act, 1957°
Section 36 gives a Local Authority power to require execution of works or reduction
of number of occupants of houses-let-in-lodgings. The provisions of the Section are:-
If it appears to a local authority in the case of a house within their district, or
of part of such a house, which is let in lodgings, or occupied by members of more than one
family, is not reasonably suitable for such occupation with respect to;-
1. Natural lighting.
2. Ventilation.
3. Water Supply.
4. Drainage and sanitary conveniences; or
5. Facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal
of waste water.
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