View report page

33
think there is a possibility of some of the houses becoming vacant
so that they may be sold with vacant possession.
In this case it is difficult to suggest any procedure which would
be acceptable to the local authority other than the service of a
Demolition Notice because of the poor structural condition and age
of the property, and the risk of being unable to obtain re-imbursement
of the money expended upon repairs. It is purely a matter
for the local authority to decide upon the extent to which they wish
to keep housing accommodation, however poor the standard, in
existence, and their willingness to face the probable financial losses
in so doing; but it is possible to consider in a case of this kind that
it is desirable to carry out the minimum repairs which are essential
to enable the premises to remain occupied.
There are many families who are at present living in such
extreme distress with relatives, who would be very glad to occupy
such a house if only until such time as the housing situation improved
sufficiently for them to obtain other accommodation.
Having regard, however, to the figures supplied, it is considered
that the repairs at these premises could not be carried out at reasonable
cost. The next step, therefore, if the house is considered
under the Housing Act, 1936, will be to repair—obviously at a
considerable loss—or to demolish the property, which under
ordinary circumstances would be the normal procedure.
Case (2).—The owner of these premises cannot be traced, and
no rent has been paid by the occupiers for 9\ months, so that ownership
cannot be proved. Notices were served addressed to the owner
of these premises and legal proceedings were taken in the North
London Magistrates' Court, when an Abatement Order was obtained
against the owner (unnamed) to abate the nuisances within seven
days. The Abatement Order was obtained only for essential
matters giving rise to nuisances on the premises and on the adjoining
premises, and it was presumed that the Council would have to
carry out the work and recover the costs. Estimates were obtained
from three builders, the lowest of which was £14 10s. Od. The
property is occupied by two direct tenants, both of whom have
money in hand which they have not paid as rent. The one who
occupies the top floor at a weekly rental of 13s. 1d. has approximately
£6 unpaid rent in hand. The other, who occupies the remainder
of the house, is responsible for rent amounting to 36s. 2d.
weekly and, although she was unable to tell the inspector what
amount of money she had in hand, obviously she would have a
sum in excess of that held by the top floor tenant.