266
HAMBURG.
classes of the population, but chiefly of households of limited means. These
investigations were made in 1868, 1874, 1882, 1890, and 1901. Normal
families were chosen—i.e. such families as used their dwellings purely for
habitation and in which no lodgers or other persons lived who might be
supposed to contribute to the rent—and on the last occasion 55,513 individual
cases were classified. The following were the results arrived at :—
Income Class.
From £45 to £60 (inclusive)
„ £60 „ £80
„ £80 „ £120
„ £120 to £150
„ £150 „ £180
„ £180,, 2210
„ £210 „ £240
,, £240 „£300
,, £300 „2600
,, £600 „21,500
„ £1,500 to £3,000
Over £3,000
Percentage of Income Expended on Rent in
1868.
19-81
19- 89
20- 27
19-45
19-59
19-28
18-89
18-55
15-99
11-51
6-68
372
1874.
20- 87
21- 13
20-88
19-21
19-03
18-17
17 38
17-35
15-48
10-75
7-44
3 78
1882.
21-86
18-94
1950
18-78
17-90
18 33
17-22
1833
1672
42 23
8-06
3-87
1891.
2412
2222
2209
20-81
19-15
18-71
17-88
17-71
15-12
1038
6-21
3-05
1901.
24-67
23-19
2161
2053
19-25
18-31
17-36
16-69
1430
9-61
5-99
3 04
These figures seem to show that the greatest pressure falls upon incomes of
305. per week and under, and that this pressure has increased more during the
last 20 years covered by the return than during the preceding period.
Most working-class tenancies are either monthly or quarterly, but
fortnightly and weekly tenancies are not rare. The rent as a rule includes
waiter and sometimes chimney sweeping, but the town collects all house refuse.
The cleaning of the stairs and landings is in the newer property done by the
tenants in turn. Printed contracts of tenancy are customary, and both husband
and wife are required to sign, thus being made equally responsible for rent and
for the observance of all conditions imposed. A common clause seldom met
with elsewhere runs : “ The tenant undertakes to ventilate the rooms thoroughly
at all times.” Payment of the rent in advance is not usually required, but the
deposit of 10s. or more as security is often insisted on.
In a large town like Hamburg house ownership affords an attractive
channel for investment and speculation. In the year 1902 the 22,259 plots
built upon were owned by 15,378 persons, and of the latter 12,249 or 80 per
cent, owned one property each. Where the owner does not live on the
premises he is often represented by a deputy known as the “ Vice,” who is
charged with full powers.
It is a common thing for working-class families to take lodgers ; the high
rents and the ample size of so many of their dwellings encourage the practice.
Of 132,056 dwellings used exclusively for habitation enumerated at the Census
of 1900, 26,676 or 22 per cent, contained lodgers, but in New Town North the
percentage was 30'1 and in St. George North 28"6. The usual charge for single
men is 3s., 3s. 6d., or 4s. per week according to the locality and class of room,
breakfast coffee being here included. No sanction is needed from the municipal
authorities to the taking of lodgers except in the case of professional lodginghouses.
House owners, however, generally stipulate in the rent contract that
lodgers may not be taken without their consent.
The State of Hamburg has hitherto refrained from competing with private
adventure in the provision of working-class dwellings, yet it has during recent
years put in force various positive measures for ameliorating the housing of the
people. Its methods of procedure are (1) the clearance of insanitary property
by carefully devised improvement schemes, (2) the disposal of cleared areas for
the erection of improved dwellings to accommodate as far as possible the
population displaced, (3) the encouragement of societies and individuals
interested in the building of small dwellings, (4) the improvement of the means
of communication with outside districts, (5) the careful enforcement of building
and sanitary bye-laws revised from time to time according to altering conditions,
and (6) an efficient system of house inspection.
