13 August 1875
Artisans' Dwellings Act

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Living conditions for working people are so bad that 27 housing acts are passed in the second half of the century. This is one of the more significant. It empowers local authorities to demolish poor housing and to commission replacement buildings of a higher standard. It sets down minimum requirements of size, space and sanitation – for instance, each new house must have a lavatory and a tap.

However, the Treasury offers no funding except loans, and local authorities don't rush to apply. In the next decade, just 11 councils clear slums and seven of those fail to rebuild and so actually worsen overcrowding. Birmingham alone carries out a proper clearance and rebuilding programme, under radical mayor Joseph Chamberlain.

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