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Table 8
HOUSING ACT, 1961 - SECTION 15
HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
STANDARD OF AMENITIES AND REQUIREMENTS REGARDING LIGHTING AND
VENTILATION ADOPTED BY THE BOROUGH COUNCIL ON 24TH MARCH, 1965
(a) Natural and artificial lighting
Natural (i) The provision and maintenance in every habitable room, of a window or windows
(capable of being opened at the top), opening directly to the external air and having, where
practicable, a glass area equal to at least one-tenth of the floor area. It should be borne in
mind that one-tenth of the floor area may not be attainable and in given circumstances might
not be enough.
(ii) The provision and maintenance, wherever practicable, of adequate means of natural
light to a common staircase. When not practicable, adequate artificial lighting shall be provided.
Artificial There shall be provided and maintained suitable means for securing adequate
artificial lighting either by electricity or gas in each habitable room, bathroom and watercloset.
(b) Ventilation
The provision and maintenance of adequate means of ventilation, including permanent ventilation
for every passage, room, water-closet apartment and staircase.
(c) Water supply
(i) The provision of one tap per floor of piped water suitable for drinking and, if more than
one letting, one tap inside each letting. In each case the provision of a sink of suitable
size and pattern and efficient means for carrying off any waste water from the tap.
(ii) The provision in every hostel, boarding house, guest house and boarding school of a
piped supply of water suitable for drinking reasonably accessible to the occupants of each
sleeping room.
In addition to the requirements of the Metropolitan Water Board Byelaw No. 24 (1950) relating
to the provision of a stop tap for each separately chargeable supply, it is suggested that a
stop tap should be fitted for each floor or each separate letting, whichever is the more convenient.
(d) Personal washing facilities
In each letting there shall be provided a hot and cold water supply at a wash-hand basin
or at a sink. There shall also be provided in connection with each letting a fixed bath or
shower in a bathroom with hot and cold water. Where it is impracticable for the bathroom
to be within the dwelling, it shall be in such a position within the curtilage of the building
as to be readily accessible from the letting. In such cases, wherever practicable, regard
shall be had to the mention in the Ministry of Housing and Local Government Circular 16/62
of a suggested scale of provision of two baths or one bath and one shower per ten persons.
In any event, the minimum provision shall be in the ratio of one fixed bath or shower to ten
persons irrespective of age.
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