Many homes built in the Pijp, Oosterpark and Kinker districts from 1860 were of poor quality. The weekly rent was two to three guilders. Anyone unable to afford this rented a 'split dwelling', 20 to 30 metres square. This comprised a kitchen, living room and sleeping alcove with two box beds. A thin wooden partition seperated front and rear appartments. In the hall there were one or two lavatories. Six families lived on rooms off one central staircaise. Furnishings were spartan. One table with a gas lamp, as many chairs as there were family members, a couple of shelves for clothing. Cooking was done on a paraffin stove. Each apartment had a slatted coal hole in the attic.