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Special provisions are made (by Sub-section (7) of Section 17)
in regard to underground rooms habitually used as sleeping places ;
these, unless they conform to certain conditions, are to be regarded
as dwelling-houses unfit for human habitation, and as such liable to
have closing orders made in regard to them. These provisions do
not, however, come into operation until 1st July, 1910; and a closing
order made in respect of any room to which the Sub-section applies,
is not to be treated as a closing order in respect of a dwelling-house
for the purposes of Section 18 of the Act which deals with demolition
orders.
A room habitually used as a sleeping place, the surface of the
floor of which is more than three feet below the surface of the part of
the street adjoining or nearest to the room, is, for the purpose of
Section 17, to be deemed to be a dwelling-house so dangerous or
injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation, if the room
either—
(a) is not on the average at least seven feet in height from
floor to ceiling; or
(b) does not comply with such regulations as the council with
the consent of the Board may prescribe for securing the
proper ventilation and lighting of such rooms, and the
protection of the rooms against dampness, effluvia, or
exhalation. The Board are empowered, if the local
authority, after being required to do so by the Board,
fail to make such regulations as above-mentioned, or
such regulations as the Board approve, themselves to
make regulations; and the regulations, son made, are to
have effect as if they had been made by the local
authority with the Board's consent. It is, however,
provided that a closing order made in respect of a room
to' which the Sub-section applies is not to prevent the
room being used for purposes other than those of a
sleeping place.