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HOUSING
The Health Department has duties and responsibilities in relation to housing which may
be summarised as follows:-
1. The investigation of complaints
2. Routine inspections for
(a) lack of repair
(b) overcrowding
(c) lack of amenities, particularly in houses in multiple occupation
(d) re-inspection of premises subject to Closing Orders, etc.
3. Inspections for slum clearance, demolition, or closure, including underground rooms.
4. Applications for loans for house purchase.
5. Applications for improvement grants, both standard and discretionary.
6. Medical recommendations for rehousing.
INVESTIGATION OF COMPLAINTS
Many complaints are received by the Department concerning housing conditions; most
concern defects in the house itself, such as a lack of repair or dampness, but others involve the
use or misuse of adjacent premises affecting the comfort of the complainants.
All complaints are investigated, be they made by letter, telephone call or personal
visit. Where the complaint is justified, action depends on the particular circumstances, but
usually it is the service of a notice under Section 93 of the Public Health Act, 1936, requiring
the abatement of any "nuisance" existing. Before 1 April 1965, the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936 which gave powers to the Metropolitan Boroughs, required the service of an "intimation
notice" before a statutory notice could be served. Whilst no longer necessary, the service of
intimation notices has been continued, for the procedure is well understood by property owners
and notices are acted upon by them in most cases.
When it is found that many items require attention, or that the house needs a general
overhaul, action is taken under Section 9 of the Housing Act, 1957. This procedure is more
protracted and it may be several months before the necessary work is completed; it is thus rarely
used for defects which can more readily be dealt with under the Public Health Act procedure noted
above.
Before 1 April 1965, Section 27 of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1955 allowed a local authority to deal expeditiously with urgent defects in houses, but this
was repealed by the London Government Act, 1963. A similar power appears in Section 26 of the
Public Health Act, 1961, but the London Government A*:t specifically excludes its application
to the Inner London Boroughs. It is to be regretted that these very useful powers available to the
former Metropolitan Boroughs have not been given to the Inner London Boroughs.
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