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used as a living room, including a room with respect to which
there is a probable presumption, until the contrary is shown, that
some person passes the night therein, or that it is used as a living
room). Living rooms are, it will be seen, included in the above
definition.
The rules for the construction of habitable rooms are set out
in Section 70. This section deals with the height of habitable rooms,
the provision of windows, their position, size and the portion to
open, the floors of basements, rooms, and the provision of ventilation
beneath such floors; also the construction of the floors of
habitable rooms above stables and the separation of stables from
staircases leading thereto. There does not appear to be any obligation
to provide any habitable rooms with fireplaces; especially is
this the case with bedrooms.
This, in my opinion, is a great want in the Building Acts. No
better means for the ventilation of habitable rooms can be suggested
than a fireplace with flue. In addition to ventilation, means of
warming are also required in every bedroom at certain times of
the year and at other times in case of illness. Some of the rooms
now provided in tenement dwellings are, in my opinion, totally
unfit for use, either as living or bedroom .
CUSTOMS AND INLAND REVENUE ACT, 1890.
Under the provisions of the above Act three applications
were made to me during the year by owners of tenement properties
to inspect the same with the view to granting certificates that the
tenements were so constructed "as to afford suitable accommodation
for each of the families or persons dwelling therein, and that
due provision is made for their sanitary requirements," for the
purpose of claiming exemption from Inhabited House Duty. The
three applications had reference to twelve tenements. Under
Section 35 of the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909, applications
were made by the proprietors of four common lodging-houses