London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Tottenham 1950

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Tottenham]

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32
includes in their 16 points standard, the following:-
(V) be provided with efficient and adequate means of
supplying hot water for domestic purposes.
Surely "efficient and adequate" cannot be met by a kettle on
a gas ring or gas cooker?

The following is a summary of work carried out under Section 9 in the owner's default, during the past 14 years, namely :-

YearNumber of HousesCost
193712£420o 5. 5.
1938566.l3.ll.
193931605= 3. 5.
1940325. 4. 4.
191119319. 7. 0.
194221543. 4.l0.
19131142,559. 7. 3.
1944451,026. 6. 9.
194517658.3.11.
19461527,329.l6. 8.
194724114,272.16. 9.
194818113,160. 8. 4.
19491066,5930 6. 5.
1950774,035. 8. 5.

Sections 11 & 12.
The problem of repairing insanitary houses at "reasonable cost"
is one which continues to be vague in its interpretation, Increasing
use has to be made by the Department of the provision of Section
11, Housing Act, 1936. It should, however, be made clear that its
increasing use is to some extent artificial and has been created
mainly by force of circumstances,, Whilst house rents have remained
fixed, building costs have increased by something like 150% to
200%. Clearly Section 11 was not framed to meet present day conditions
and some amendment is required. For the purpose of the
Housing Act, house values remain at 1939 level or even earlier,
where old controlled houses are involved. It cannot, therefore,
be equitable to assess "reasonableness" of the cost of repairs by
present day building prices. But as the law stands, public health
officers have no option and they are left with no alternative.
As to what contitutes "reasonable cost" we know that in pre-