[Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, Epsom & Ewell Borough.

  • Epsom and Ewell (England). Borough Council.
Date:
1966
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, Epsom & Ewell Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    43/74 (page 39)
    HOUSING I. Inspection of dwelling-houses during the year 1 (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected under the Public Health or Housing Acts 282 (b) Number of inspections or reinspections 1,025 2 Number of dwelling-houses found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for 80 human habitation II. Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit (a) After informal notice 60 (b) After service of formal notice 6 (c) Number of notices outstanding at end of year 14 III. Proceedings under the Housing Act 1957 Individual Unfit Houses :— Number of dwelling-houses found unfit for human habitation and represented under 7 Section 16(1) of the Housing Act 1957 Resulting action :— Demolition orders made . . . 9 (3 orders made following representations in 1965) Closing Orders made 1 No. 2 Clearance Area 1962 Comprising eight dwellings. Order for demolition made and confirmed by Ministry of Housing and Local Government on the 29th April, 1964. Four tenants re-housed by the Council, the others finding their own accommodation. Premises demolished 1966. No. 1 Clearance Area 1965 Comprising seven dwellings. Order for Demolition made and confirmed by Ministry of Housing and Local Government on the 15th November, 1966. Progress to end of year—One tenant rehoused by Council. Slum Clearance The position in respect of Slum Clearance is constantly under review. Since 1955, 124 pro- perties have been dealt with as the result of Clearance Areas, the making of Demolition and Closing Orders and the repair of Unfit Houses. An estimated 147 properties are listed as outstanding. The figure is given as an estimation, as it related to those houses which on inspection may be shown to require action for closure or demolition, having regard to the definition of fitness (Section 4, Housing Act 1957) and the overall standard of dwelling houses in the Borough by which they are judged. The rate of progress which can be achieved is governed by the ability of the Council to rehouse the displaced families and close liaison exists between the Public Health and Housing Committees. During 1966 ten families were rehoused by the Corporation as a result of formal action taken under the Housing Acts, making a total of 71 since the inception of the Slum Clearance Programme in 1955. Improvement of Houses The Housing Act 1964, gives power to local authorities to require in certain circumstances, the improvement of tenanted dwellings which were built before the end of 1944, or provided by conversion before the 3rd October 1961, or pre-1945 buildings. The improvements relate to the provision of the Standard Amenities, which in full are : (a) a fixed bath or shower, which, if reasonably practicable, is to be in a bathroom ; (b) a wash-hand basin ; (c) a hot and cold water supply at a fixed bath or shower and at a wash-hand basin and at a sink ; (d) a water closet which must, if reasonably practicable, be in and readily accessible from the dwelling ; and (e) satisfactory facilities for storing food.