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45
Similarly, orders prohibiting the use for sleeping purposes of
unfit parts of premises have been made and under later legislation
closing orders have been made prohibiting the use of parts of premises
for any form of human habitation. In some instances, where
the occupants were not suffering undue hardship or shortage of
accommodation prevented immediate rehousing, the Council accepted
undertakings from the owners of the premises that the rooms
would not be used for sleeping purposes or for human habitation,
as the case required, once they had been vacated.
The following is a summary of action taken during the period
under review:—
Closing Orders on houses 4
Two of these houses were later made fit and the orders
cancelled.
Demolition Orders 28
In two additional cases undertakings by the owners
to make the premises fit were accepted and in one
instance the necessary work has been completed.
Closing Orders prohibiting the use of parts of premises for
sleeping purposes 28
In five instances the premises were made fit and the
orders determined.
Closing Orders prohibiting the use of parts of premises for
human habitation 47
In two instances the premises were subsequently
made fit and orders determined.
Undertakings not to use rooms for sleeping purposes or to
close them upon vacation were accepted in respect of
97 premises. In seven instances the undertakings
were cancelled upon the premises being made fit.
Reconditioning of Houses.
From 1921 to 1927 systematic inspections were carried out in
order to ascertain which houses were not in all respects fit for human
habitation. Many houses were found to be unfit but because of the
right of the owner to close the premises where repairs necessitating
reconstruction were involved, action to remedy defects found was
taken under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891.
During these
years the following inspections were made:—
1921
1,622
1922
1,437
1923
1,709
1924
965
1925
1,320
1926
849
1927
845