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(v) Existing single room lettings, where, if practicable,
there must be a provision of one water closet for
every four lettings or for every ten persons
irrespective of age, the accommodation to be deemed
insufficient if it fails to conform to both of
these requirements.
E. Facilities for storage. preparation and cooking of food:
The provision inside each separate dwelling (as distinct
from a staircase or landing in common use), of
facilities for cooking food, and a food cupboard
ventilated to the external air and of dimensions not
less than
A one room letting 3 cu.ft.
A two room letting 4 cu.ft.
A three room letting 6 cu.ft.
A dwelling comprising more than
three rooms 8 cu.ft.
(These requirements relate to. separate dwellings in
family occupation. In the case of bed-sitting rooms
in use as bachelor apartments, facilities for storing,
preparing and cooking food, are normally not
necessary and in such circumstances these provisions
will not be required. )
F. Overcrowding of sleeping rooms:
The provision in hostels and boarding schools of a
minimum floor space of 60 sq. ft„ for each person,
and the prohibition of the use of any underground
room less than 7 ft. in height, or any room which
does not comply with the requirements of the
Council's Underground Room Regulations.
Artificial lighting of Common Staircases
In exercising the powers under Sections 11 and 12 of the
Housing Repairs and Rents Act,, 1954, one deficiency in the
legislation came to light as a result of the repeal of the Tenement
Houses Bye laws. These bye laws had required owners of houses
suitable for occupation by persons of the working classes and let
in lodgings, or occupied by members of more than one family, to
provide adequate means for the artificial lighting of common
staircases. Occupiers were required to keep the staircases
adequately lighted with all the means- provided by the owner from
one hour after sunset to 11 p.m. and, at such other times as were
necessary, to keep adequately lighted any common staircase for
which natural lighting could not be provided.
The Council made representations to the Metropolitan Boroughs'
Standing Joint Committee, who decided to ask the London County
Council to insert an appropriate clause in their next General
Powers Bill to replace the powers formerly contained in the byelaws.
Slum Clearance
Action already taken
The following table gives details of the clearance areas
declared by the Council since 1950, when slum clearance work
under the Housing Act, 1936, was recommenced:-