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(b) In the structure of the house :—
(i.) Behind wall-paper and ceiling paper.
(ii.) Behind door and window architraves, picture-rails, skirting boards, cupboards
fixed to walls.
(iii.) In cracks in plaster, nail holes and particularly where hot-water pipes are embedded
behind the plaster.
(c) Backs of pictures and in boxes left undisturbed for some time.
Cleanliness—Tenant.
With regard to the general cleanliness of the house it may be that the occupier does not keep
the floors, beds, tables, carpets and utensils generally clean. It is for the Sanitary Inspector to advise
that it is necessary for this to be done and that the Authority expects the tenant to exercise all diligence
in respect of this important matter. The exact power that a sanitary inspector may have to serve
notices and report to his Local Authority may be doubtful but nevertheless many such cases are dealt
with by sanitary inspectors under the nuisance sections of the Public Health Acts. In addition the
Sanitary Inspector has usually specific powers for dealing with cleanliness in the Bye-laws relating to
Houses Let in Lodgings or Houses in Improvement Areas.
Cleanliness—Landlord.
With regard to the cleanliness of the premises as provided by decorations, painting, distempering,
lime-washing and the like, this is a matter for the Landlord as represented by the local authority.
The Sanitary Inspector knows that where the walls and ceilings are dirty, the tenant does not do his
share in maintaining the cleanliness of his furniture and utensils. It is therefore essential that the
local authority and tenant should co-operate. The local authority by keeping the general structure
of the house clean and in good repair really encourages the tenant to keep his furniture and the house
generally similarly clean.
Repairs.
Defective conditions in the structure of house property once occupied comes within the scope
of the normal work of a sanitary inspector. He is doing it day by day in his routine work. He is
therefore familiar with the defects which are likely to be found in house property and will look for them
on the new estate. He will also secure that any defects are immediately remedied as it is often the
case that immediate remedy saves work in the long run. Where the defect arises from some action
of the tenant as in the examples above given, the Sanitary Inspector will advise the tenant as to what
actions he should or should not do in order that such defects may not arise or recur.
Sanitary Inspector as Estate Manager.
From the foregoing it would appear to me that if the new estates of local authorities built under
the Housing Act 1930 are to be adequately managed in the interests of the tenant, the landlord as
represented by the local authority and the public health generally, an officer trained as a sanitary
inspector should have the full powers of an estate manager. I have already indicated that such an
officer possesses all the necessary knowledge and generally, powers.
(1) For preparing the slum dweller and his belongings for the occupation of the new houses ;
(2) For instructing the tenants in the use of and the care of sanitary appliances ;
(3) For instructing the tenants how to prevent defective conditions arising in connection
with their houses;
(4) For instructing the tenants how to co-operate with him in the prevention of infestation and
reinfestation of the houses and furniture;
(5) For securing a high standard of cleanliness amongst these tenants and if necessary for taking
legal action against them for failure in this respect;
(6) For securing that the property is kept by the landlord in good and tenantable repair.
He is also aware out of his experience as to the methods of construction which are likely to
result in defective conditions or uncleanliness and if he is made full use of in connection with the
development of these new estates and has constantly in mind the question as to how these conditions
can be prevented, it is not unlikely that new methods of construction will be devised so that ultimately
not only the tenants in the Council's Estates but the population generally will have houses built on the
best sanitary model.