ABSTRACT
An American author has recently complained that ‘too frequently a stereotyped monolithic view of landlords is espoused by those interested in oversimplified housing solutions for the city. Whether the stereotype is that of a multitude of small owners... or its inverse, a tightly knit group of exploiters, usually depends upon the prejudices rather than the knowledge of the commentators.’ 1 This seems an appropriate comment on much Victorian discussion, which was additionally enlivened by the presence of a leasehold system, and by a predilection for building up arguments from an initial assignment of moral responsibilities. Beames wanted to begin his inquiry into the rookeries ‘by asking under what landlords such traffic exists. Some one must be much to blame’. 2
