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originally built or adapted by additions or alterations, and used for tlie sole
purpose of providing separate dwellings for persons at rents not exceeding for
each dwelling the rate of seven shillings and .sixpence per week (now an
annual value of forty pounds), and occupied only by persons paying such
rents, shall be discharged by the said Commissioners, provided that a certificate
of the medical officer of health for the district in which the house is situate
shall be produced to them to the effect that the house is so constructed as to
afford suitable accommodation for each of the families or persons inhabiting
it, and that due provision is made for their sanitary requirements. The
medical officer of health of a district, on request by the person who would be
liable to pay the house duty on any house in the district, if the duty were not
discharged as aforesaid, shall examine the house for the purpose of ascertaining
whether such a certificate can be properly given, and if the house be
constructed so as to afford such accommodation and due provision be made as
aforesaid, shall certify the same accordingly.
At a meeting of the Metropolitan Branch of the Incorporated Society of
Medical Officers of Health, held on January 27th, 1905, the minimum requirements
of the certificate, after previous consideration, were finally decided, and
were published in the Journal, Public Health, March, 1905, p. 410, in this
form—
Revenue Act, 1903.— The following minimum requirements were approved,
and it was recommended that any certificate to be given by the Medical Officer
of Health, under Section 11 of the Revenue Act, 1903, should be, consequently,
based thereon:—
a. That a definite minimum height for living and sleeping rooms is provided,
as defined by the London Building Act, 1894, together with a definite minimum
area (superficial) of 96 feet for each of'sucli rooms
b. That a fireplace and chimney-flue are provided for each living and
sleeping room.
c. That every living or sleeping room is sufficiently lighted by daylight, and
properly ventilated.
d. That each dwelling is so arranged as to be through-ventilated.
e. That each dwelling is provided with a properly ventilated food cupboard
(or recess) or larder, properly protected against flies and effluvia; and also a
proper range or stove for cooking purposes.
f. That there is a proper and sufficient supply of water available on each floor.
g. That there is, at least, one w.c. properly supplied with water for every
twelve occupants (or less), on each floor—each w.c. being disconnected aerially
from any dwelling in the interior of the building.
h. That on each floor a sufficient space, or open lobby, is provided, accessible
to, and for the use of, the families on each floor, for the deposit of refuse, etc.
i. That every common staircase is permanently ventilated at each floor level,
or by through ventilation, so as to break the common air connection.