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The bad internal arrangement, inherent defects, together
with general disrepair and lack of amenities makes them
inadequate for modern family life, and renders them unfit
for human habitation. The efforts of some owners and
occupiers to remedy the rapid decay of the properties have
effected only a temporary improvement.
The properties are generally old, decayed, obsolescent
and worn out, without reasonable modern fitments or amenities.
Roof slates are generally loose and perished, brickwork
is soft, perished and porous. Such damp proof courses as
exist have perished or fractured and there is considerable
rising dampness in main walls. The sculleries are damp and
dark. The staircases and w.c. apartments are badly lighted
and ventilated.
The wood floors are worn, uneven and show signs of
settlement. Joinery is generally of light construction which
is perished or damaged.
The standard of decoration thioughout the area varies,
but in many cases walls are stained and uneven as a result
of dampness.
Of the 152 premises in the area there are 64 with unsatisfactory
ugly temporary back addition structures which
have enclosed the w.c. apartment, drains and sink waste
gully. These additions have become principal rooms where
food is prepared and eaten. They are poorly lighted and
ventilated and obstructive to the natural lighting and ventilation
of the remaining ground floor rooms. The nature of
the lean-to construction promotes condensation which
supplements and aggravates the rising dampness in the
roain structure.
The entrance to the staircase is mainly either direct
out of the living room or between the ground floor rooms, so
that waste from the bedrooms must be transported through
the living room and the scullery where food is prepared.
This practice is prejudicial to health, especially in times
of sickness. These staircases are steep, dark and dangerous.
The w.c. apartments with few exceptions are external
and without screened approaches.
There are 130 houses without entrance passages, and
in houses an entrance passage has been formed by the
erection of a partition of light construction, whilst the
remaining 17 houses have proper entrance passages.
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