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rental. For example, the cost of carrying out the
Council's requirements at Nos. 1-7, Sotheron Road,
was estimated by the Surveyor at £1,750, and as the
present rents of the seven houses average only 13s. a
week, the return to the Council, even if the rents were
increased in accordance with the Rent Restriction
Act, would barely suffice to pay interest on the money
expended, and would leave no margin for redemption
of capital. But for the shortage of house accommodation
there would be no hesitation in representing these
and some others as unfit for human habitation, and then
taking the necessary steps to close and demolish them;
but, as things are, this course is out of the question.
In the case of five houses, 10-14, Sotheron Road, the
owner gave notice of his intention to close the houses
rather than carry out the necessary repairs on the
ground that the houses are not capable, without reconstruction,
of being rendered fit for human habitation;
but the Minister of Health, who is the arbiter
under the Act, decided in favour of the Council that
reconstruction was not required; and the requirements
of the Council having in accordance with the
suggestion of the Minister been modified in some
respects, the necessary work is now being carried out.
Proceedings under Section 18, Housing and Town
Planning Act, 1009.—Thirteen houses in Albert Mews
were represented as unfit for habitation, and closing
orders were made. It was hoped that the Council
would be able to acquire the site of these houses,
together with some adjoining land belonging to
Queen's Club, and erect one or two blocks of tenements,
which, in addition to housing the displaced
occupiers, would provide some additional housing
accommodation, but no arrangement could be reached
with the Committee of the Club, and as the site
value of the land occupied by the mews was excessive,
the scheme was abandoned, and the closing orders were
not enforced.
Reviewing the work under the Housing Act, it must
be admitted that, irrespective of the drawbacks mentioned
above, the results have been disappointing, as the