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96
Dampness in this particular type of dwelling varies considerably from
time to time, being in some measure seasonal. At one inspection a
basement may appear to be perfectly dry, but at the subsequent inspection,
even within a week or two, serious dampness may be found.
Various factors tend to create these circumstances, for instance, after
long periods of continuous rain basements are found to become increasingly
damp particularly if they have remained vacant for a time and therefore
without domestic fires whilst those in which fires have been kept
burning during inclement weather are often less seriously affected. No
doubt condensation plays a considerable part in creating dampness but
again this can be obviated by the ventilating action of a brisk fire.
Advancing age with the resultant decay of the structure also plays a
part in encouraging dampness to permeate walls and floor timbers.
Another factor which must be mentioned with regard to basements,
particularly those which are occupied as separate dwellings, is that of the
back rooms at yard level. These do not appear to fall within the definition
of underground rooms under the provisions of the Housing Acts
and Regulations. Nevertheless in some instances they have been found
to be darker and as damp as the front rooms, because of the back addition
rooms on the floor above which project outwards over the back yards
thus cutting off light and ventilation. Therefore, in considering as to
whether a basement in its entirety is unfit for human habitation the whole
circumstances must be taken into account.
Overcrowding Survey.
The information obtained during the Overcrowding Survey was
assessed on the standards laid down in the Act of 1935, which are as
follows:—
First Schedule.
"For the purpose of this Act the expression ' the permitted number
of persons ' means, in relation to any dwelling house, either:—
(a) the number specified in the second column of Table I in the
annex hereto in relation to a house consisting of the
number of rooms of which that house consists, or