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90 HOUSING.
In local comparisons, such as the above, the question of the charges covered by the rent
(e.g., rates, water, &c.) are not material, as it is believed that no change has taken place between
the inquiries.
The average rental for the 4,631 tenements (of all classes) included in the inquiry of 1906
was 6.775 shillings, and that for the 4,461 dealt with in 1912, 6.283, showing a reduction of 0.492
shilling—practically 6d.; so that the increased house accommodation has been secured at an
average cost which is just on 6d. a week less than the average paid in 1906.
The foregoing changes, supposing every tenement to be let at its appropriate class average,
mean that the weekly amount receivable by landlords for rent has been reduced from £1,569
(approximately) in 1906 to £1,042 in 1912, involving an annual depreciation of something like
£27,500.
Queen's Park Estate.—In 1906 the rents paid on this Estate were exclusive of the rates, but
in 1912 inclusive. The following figures, as to numbers of houses and rents, have been furnished
by the Artizans and Labourers Dwellings Company, Ltd.
Class of Num- Rent Charged Rateable Value
House. ber. 1906. 1912. 1906. 1912.
£42 \
First 4 and p.a. No change
£45 | £22 £22 to £24
203 12/-to 12/6 (a) 15/3 to 17/- Rate.
Second 674 10/- to 12- 12/6 to 15/- £16 £18 to £211906 6/7½
Third 727 8/6 to 9/6 10/6 to 12/3 £15(b) £14 to £18 1912 7/8½
Fourth 370 6/6 to 8/- 9/3 to 10/- £13 £13 to £15
Fifth 52 6/6 (c) 8/3 (e) £11 £11 & £12
Flats 70 6/6 to 7/6 7/6 to 8/9 £9 to £ll (d)
(a) One at 13/6. (b) "Special" £18. (c) One at 5/- (d) Three-room flat, £9 ; four, £11. Rents charged
weekly, except in the first group of " First Class" houses.
It would take too much space to set out the changes in rents on the Estate owing to the
complexity due to the altered incidence of the rates. One example, that of a " Third Class "
house, must suffice.
In 1906, with the rate at 6/7½, there had to be added to the rent charged (8/6 to 9/9
per week) a weekly charge of, say, 1/11 for the rate (actually 1.91 shillings), so that the rental
together with the rate approximated to 10/5 to 11/8. In 1912 the rate was 7/8½, equivalent to
2/4 per week (taking the rateable value at £15). That amount has to be deducted from the rent
charged, 10/6 to 12/3, making the charge for rent only, 8/2 to 9/11. These calculations will be
more readily understood in tabular form:—
"Third Class" House. (Rateable Value, £15.)
Rent plus Rate 1906, 10/5 to 11/81912, 10/6 to 12/3
Rent only 1906, 8/6 to 9/9 ... 1912, 8/2 to 9/11
Bath Rooms.—During last year proposals were submitted for altering and supplementing the
sanitary condition of houses, hitherto occupied as private dwelling houses (one family), with a
view to their being converted into "flats or "maisonettes." Additional bath rooms were to be
provided, such bath rooms being in the middle of the houses, i.e., not against an external wall.
No direct light and no ventilation to the external air was provided. The arrangements appeared
to be decidedly unsatisfactory, as the bath rooms have been found to be badly ventilated and
lighted. The steam from the bath gets into the adjacent rooms, and owing to insufficient natural
light it is anticipated that the bath rooms will not be kept in a cleanly condition. The
Superintending Architect of the County has advised that there is no provision in the London
Building Acts requiring that bath rooms should have direct light or ventilation to the external