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14
(a) Definition of Conditions which render a House unfit
for Human Habitation.
When the Delegates of the Vestries and District Boards of
Works met in Conference with the Housing of the Working
Classes Committee of the County Council, an endeavour was
made to define the conditions which might he
Definitions. regarded by the Medical Officer of Health as constituting
a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to render
a dwelling-house unfit for human habitation With this object in
view, a separate meeting of Medical Officers was convened. The
question was fully discussed and a report issued. The Medical
Officers found themselves unable to formulate any precise definition.
They were prepared, however, to lay down some general
principles. The report deals with Insanitary conditions under
four headings, the existence of any of which might constitute a
ground for action under the Housing of the Working Classes Act.
But it was considered that the effect which any insanitary condition
might exert on the health of the people exposed to its
influence was largely dependent on the degree or extent in which
such insanitary condition was found to be existing, and in consequence
the determination as to whether a dwelling be fit or
unfit for human habitation must be governed having regard to the
merits of each particular case.
Unhealthy
site.
A dwelling-house built in a hollow or in a situation
not admitting of effective drainage, or exposed to
malarious influences, or built in a manner or on a soil which
causes or permits the air to be contaminated by injurious gases;
or built on a site so surmounted by buildings that the access
of sufficient light and air is impossible might properly be the
subject of representation under Section 30.