s 18 Power to make a closing order as to part of a building
(1) A local authority may under the foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act take the like proceedings in relation to— (a) any part of a building which is used, or is suitable for use, as a dwelling, or (b) any underground room which is deemed for the purposes of this section to be unfit for human habitation, as they are empowered to take in relation to a house subject, however, to this qualification that in circumstances in which, in the case of a house, they would have taken action under the last foregoing section (whether by making a demolition or closing order or by purchasing the house) they shall make a closing order as respects the part of the building or, as the case may be, as respects the room. (2) Subject to the provisions of section four of this Act as to the circumstances under which a house is to be deemed unfit for human habitation, a room 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, or more than three feet below the surface of any ground within nine feet of the room, shall for the purposes of this section be deemed to be unfit for human habitation, if either— (a) the average height of the room from floor to ceiling is not at least seven feet, or (b) the room does not comply with such regulations as the local authority with the consent of the Minister may prescribe for securing the proper ventilation and lighting of such rooms, and the protection thereof against dampness, effluvia or exhalation: Provided that, if the local authority, after being required to do so by the Minister, fail to make regulations, or such regulations as the Minister approves, the Minister may himself by statutory instrument make regulations which shall have effect as if they had been made by the local authority with the consent of the Minister.