Wardown House c1913.

Military authorities were excused rent due for Wardown House although failing to give an agreed week's notice of their termination of tenancy after November 19th, 1915.

By an agreement dated April 8th, 1915, the house had been hired by the Secretary of State as a military hospital at a rent of £5 10s a week. The agreement applied from April 1st, 1915, and involved a week's notice of termination of the agreement.

The military authorities had paid rent up to November 19th, and the Voluntary Aid Detachment began its work there on November 20th. An account was rendered by the Borough Accountant for the rent (£33 15s 9d) due from November 20th, 1915, to January 1st, 1916.

In a letter to the Town Council, Capt R. S. Harrisson, Secretary of the Central Quartering Committee for the district of St Albans, wrote that Wardown House was vacated by the Government on November 15th, from which date they had retained no interest in the premises.

"Formal notice to quit was not given owing to a misunderstanding as to it being requisite on account of the V.A.D. immediately following in occupation.

"May I ask you to be good enough, in view of the fact that the V.A.D. are going to occupy these premises rent free and that the Government has no use for the property as from November 19th last, to place before your Council the following request, viz that they will accept this letter as a formal notice of intention to quit as from November 19th last, and waive all rent as from that date which may have accrued as the result of no such notice being given.

"With regard to the Government building erected on the premises, I am at present unable to say what is to become of that, but have been on the phone to the A.D.M.S., Bedford, who had instructed me to make a written report to him, which he will forward to the War Office for instruction. As soon as I hear anything in relation to this I will let you know.

"Perhaps you will be good enough to let me know the decision of your Council at as early a date as possible."

The Park Committee recommended the Council to release the military authorities as from November 20th, and consent to the temporary addition to the Hospital remaining until the end of the war. This was agreed.

[The Luton News: Thursday, March 9th, 1916]