Scottish Tenements

• Those who were likely to live in the tenements were likely to be poor working class.

• They could not afford to move anywhere else.

Conditions in Tenements

• As more and more people moved into the cities looking for work they needed somewhere to live.– Houses could not be built out– they had to be built up

• Often there would be a family of eight living in a tiny room (Page 24 of Health and Housing unit) and sharing a lavatory with three other families.

• The room would be dirty and would often have rats and mice.

Living Conditions in Tenements in early 20th C

Good Points Bad PointsCheaper than cottages Toilets are often outsideWarmer than cottages May be a flushing toilet on the

landing More compact therefore less cleaning needed

Cold water tap may be on the stairs or even in the outside yard

May be preferred by elderly and single women

Some tenements have no piped water supply inside the house

Lack of sunlightNoisy neighbours can make life miserable for others in tenementLack of privacy – yard, corridors are all sharedNowhere for children to play safelyYards are unhealthy places for children (open rubbish pits)

Council Houses

• When Councils gained the right to buy up slum houses they demolished them and built new homes instead.

• Compaired to the tenements these were mansions. They had:– Separate bedrooms– Well equipped kitchen– Own bathroom

These types of council houses are the ones that are still being used today.

Living Conditions in Council Housing Estates

Good Points Bad PointsGas and electricity provided

Small rooms

Indoor toilets Lack of privacy

Bathrooms Unimaginative design

Gardens front and back No sense of community

•Clean and neat Few shops or leisure facilities

•Well built houses Often far from workplace