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list or schedule of the conditions and defects which may be considered
to render a house 'so dangerous or injurious to health as
to be unfit for human habitation.' "
After a general discussion upon several provisions of the Act, the
Conference adjourned.
The Medical Officer of Health to the Council convened a
meeting of his colleagues, at which, after some discussion, a
Committee was appointed "to draw up a reply to the reference
from the Conference, and report upon the principles that should
guide Medical Officers of Health in reporting houses unfit for
human habitation." The Committee drew up a report which, as
amended, was adopted at a subsequent meeting of the Metropolitan
Medical Officers of Health, attended by about one-third of their
number.
The report was as follows:—
"Whether a house is dangerous to health mainly depends upon—
(a) Site and surroundings. (b) Construction, (c) Age and general want
of repair. (d) N uisances.
(a) Site.
"A dwelling-house built in a hollow, or in a situation not admitting
effectual drainage, or exposed to malarious influences, or built in a
manner, or on soil, which causes or permits the air to be contaminated by
injurious gases, might be properly represented under section 30 of the
Housing of the Working Classes Act, 1890.
"The fact that a dwelling-house is built on a site so surrounded by
buildings that access of sufficient light and air is impossible, would, in
our opinion, be a good ground for representation.
(b) Construoti on.
''Under this head would be classed original defect of plan: for
example, a dwelling-house improperly ventilated or lighted, or with the
closet and dust-bin so situated as to cause nuisance within the house.
"Any condition which results in permanent dampness.
"Such faulty construction of chimney flues as permits products of
combustion from adjoining premises to permanently contaminate the air
of living rooms.
(c) Aqe and general want of repair.
"This, when it reaches a degree of dilapidation, is obviously a just
cause for representation.