The purpose of this study was to collect information on the remaining dwellings that were built between 1889 and 1899 in a number of locations within south Wales. The selected locations (Cardiff, Pontypridd, Rhondda and Cynon) form a cross-section of the coastal plain and valleys that is representative of south Wales generally. An information profile on the remaining dwellings that were built between 1889 and 1899 was prepared and used to test two hypotheses:- 1. The standard of accommodation in the leasehold dwellings is poorer than the standard of accommodation in the freehold dwellings; 2. Housing policies have been more effective in improving the standard of accommodation in the freehold dwellings than in the leasehold dwellings. In conclusion, the effectiveness of housing improvement policies has been assessed.