What is a Tenement House? Definition, How It Works, History

What is a Tenement House? Definition, How It Works, History

What is a Tenement House?

A tenement house, often simply referred to as a tenement, is a type of building shared by multiple dwellings, typically with flats or apartments on each floor and with shared entrance stairway access.

 The term “tenement” originally referred to any rented accommodation, but over time, it has come to be associated with overcrowded, run-down buildings with low-quality living conditions.

In the United States, the term tenement initially meant a large building with multiple small spaces to rent. However, with rapid urban growth and immigration in the 19th century, overcrowded houses with poor sanitation gave tenements a reputation as shanty towns.

The New York State legislature defined a tenement in the Tenement House Act of 1867 as “any house, building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied or is occupied, as the home or residence of more than three families living independently of one another and doing their own cooking upon the premises, or by more than two families upon a floor, so living and cooking and having a common right in the halls, stairways, yards, water-closets, or privies, or some of them”

How It Works

Tenement houses were either adapted or built for the working class as cities industrialized. They were characterized by their low-quality, cramped living conditions. Many tenement houses were grossly overcrowded, poorly lit, under ventilated, and usually without indoor plumbing. These conditions made them hotbeds of vermin and disease.

In a typical tenement house, each apartment or flat contained a front room, small bedroom, and kitchen, for a total of 325 square feet. The only room to receive light or ventilation was the front room.

In some cases, up to 18 people lived in each apartment, with residents using rear-yard outhouses before 1901. Afterward, two common toilets were installed on each floor.

In architecture, “tenements” typically refer to residential buildings that contain multiple apartments or dwellings. These buildings are characterized by several key features:

1. Multi-Family Housing: Tenements are designed to accommodate multiple families or households within a single structure. Each family typically occupies a separate apartment or unit within the building.
2. Shared Facilities: While each family has its own living space, tenement buildings often have shared facilities, such as common stairwells, hallways, and sometimes shared outdoor spaces. These common areas are used by all residents in the building.
3. Vertical Living: Tenements are often multi-story buildings, and each apartment or dwelling is located on a different floor. Residents access their apartments via a shared entrance stairway or corridor.
4. Urban Context: Tenements are commonly found in urban areas and are associated with densely populated cities. They are particularly prevalent in areas with a history of rapid urbanization and population growth.
5. Historical Significance: Tenement architecture has historical significance, especially in cities like New York City, where tenements played a crucial role in housing the growing urban population during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These buildings are often associated with the challenges of urban living during that era.

History of Tenement Houses

Tenement housing emerged in U.S. cities during the late 1800s, accommodating the massive population boom that was occurring at that time.

They were initially single-family residences divided into multiple apartments, but as demand for housing increased, contractors began building tenement-specific buildings and making additions to existing residences.

By the end of the Civil War, “tenement” was a term for housing for the urban poor, with well-established connotations for unsafe and unsanitary conditions.

The living conditions in these tenements were so poor that they led to a series of reforms. The Tenement House Act of 1867 was the first of these, legally defining a tenement for the first time.

Despite the housing laws, tenement life remained dangerous and miserable. The most far-reaching bill was passed in 1901. The Tenement House Act not only required improvements on ventilation, toilets, and light but set standards that all but banned the construction of buildings on 25-foot-wide lots. Newly built tenements would have to be wider, with more space. The highly effective 1901 law required existing tenement buildings to upgrade to meet the new, stricter standards.

By the turn of the 20th century, conditions began to slowly improve, but that is not to say these buildings were livable. However, tenement housing was significant because it was the only option for the working class until the New Deal and the introduction of public housing in the 1930s.

Tenement houses played a significant role in the history of urban housing, particularly in the United States. Despite their notoriously poor conditions, they provided a home for millions of working-class individuals and families during a period of rapid urbanization and industrialization.

The legacy of tenement houses continues to influence discussions and policies around affordable housing and urban development today.

Characteristics Of A Tenement House

A tenement house, often simply referred to as a tenement, is a type of building shared by multiple dwellings, typically with flats or apartments on each floor and with shared entrance stairway access.

The term “tenement” originally referred to any rented accommodation, but over time, it has come to be associated with overcrowded, run-down buildings with low-quality living conditions.

Generally, tenement houses are multi-unit residential buildings characterized by their overcrowded and poor living conditions.

They typically contain multiple flats or apartments on each floor, with shared access to halls, stairways, and other common areas.

Despite their notoriously poor conditions, they played a significant role in urban housing, particularly during periods of rapid urbanization and immigration.

The New York State legislature defined a tenement in the Tenement House Act of 1867 as “any house, building, or portion thereof, which is rented, leased, let or hired out to be occupied or is occupied, as the home or residence of more than three families living independently of one another and doing their own cooking upon the premises, or by more than two families upon a floor, so living and cooking and having a common right in the halls, stairways, yards, water-closets, or privies, or some of them”.

Tenement houses were characterized by their low-quality, cramped living conditions. Many tenement houses were grossly overcrowded, poorly lit, under ventilated, and usually without indoor plumbing. These conditions made them hotbeds of vermin and disease.

In a typical tenement house, each apartment or flat contained a front room, small bedroom, and kitchen, for a total of 325 square feet. The only room to receive light or ventilation was the front room.

In terms of physical features, tenement houses often had unique characteristics. For instance, they often featured close tiling, which decorated the stairwell and landing of tenement buildings. These tiles were popular for being easy to clean and there were some lovely examples of art nouveau tiling around the city of Glasgow.

Other features included cornices, which added a decorative feature to the top of a living room while also protecting the outside stonework and blocking noise from neighboring flats, and box beds, which were built above floor level and could be hidden away behind curtains.