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1962, adopted, the following minimum requirements as standards of
essential services and amenities which they consider as satisfactory:-
That a house, or part of a house which is let in lodgings,
or which is occupied by members of more than one family,
shall not, in the absence of special circumstances justifying
a modification thereof, be regarded as reasonably suitable for
such occupation unless the following general standards obtain:-
A. Natural and artificial lighting:
(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 onetenth
of the floor area.
(ii) The provision and maintenance, wherever practicable, of
adequate means of natural light to a common staircase.
(iii) There shall be provided and maintained suitable means
for securing adequate artificial lighting either by
electricity or gas in each habitable room, kitchen,
bathroom and water closet.
(Staircase lighting is already dealt with under Bye-laws.)
B. Ventilation:
The provision and maintenance of adequate means of ventilation
for every passage, room, water closet apartment
and staircase.
C. Water Supply:
(i) The provision of one tap per floor and, if more than one
letting, one tap inside each letting whenever practicable.
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 water supply 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, whenever practicable, 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 letting, it shall be in such a position
within the curtilage of the building as to be readily
accessible from the letting. In such cases the provision
shall be in the ratio of one fixed bath or
shower to ten persons irrespective of age.