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HOUSING AND SANITARY
CIRCUMSTANCES
HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS
In last year's report the change in the law regarding standards of
fitness to be applied to houses let in lodgings or to more than one family
was discussed. In March 1956 the Council adopted in principle standards
to be applied to such houses under Sections 11 and 12 of the Housing
Repairs and Rents Act 1954.
The approved standards under Section 11, based on the items specified
in paragraphs (d) to (h) of Section 9 of the Act, are as follows:—
(d) Natural Lighting. Every habitable room shall be provided with
a window or windows opening directly to the external air, and having,
where practicable, an area equal to at least 1/10 of the floor area.
Every common staircase shall be provided with adequate means
of natural lighting wherever practicable.
(e) Ventilation. Adequate means of ventilation shall be provided
and maintained for every room, passage and staircase, water-closet
and bathroom. The windows of habitable rooms must be capable of
being opened at the top to at least 1/30 of the floor area.
(f) Water Supply. A sufficient supply of water for domestic purposes
shall be provided on the storey, or one of the storeys in which the
rooms or lodgings in the separate occupation of each family occupying
the house are situated.
(g) Sanitary Conveniences. The number of water-closets shall be
as follows:—
(a) One water-closet for every four habitable rooms.
(ft) One water-closet for every eight persons (irrespective of age)
but this standard shall be deemed to be insufficient if it fails to conform
to both these conditions and if, though conforming, it is not readily
accessible to the persons for whom it is intended.
In the case of conversions to single room lettings, one water-closet
shall be provided not more than one floor distant for every four
lettings, and for existing single room lettings there shall be, if practicable,
one water-closet for every four lettings.
(h) Facilities for the storage, preparation and cooking of food and
disposal of waste water. Facilities for the storage, preparation and
cooking of food and disposal of waste water shall be separately provided
for every part of the house which is occupied as a separate
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