Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1931

Underground room to be deemed to be a house unfit for human habitation.

24.—(1) 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, or more than three feet below the surface of any ground within nine feet of the room, shall for the purposes of this Part of this Act be deemed to be a house unfit for human habitation, if the room either—

(a) is not on an average at least eight feet in height from floor to ceiling; or

(b) 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.

(2) If the local authority after being required to do so by the Minister, fail to make such regulations as aforesaid, or such regulations as the Minister approves, the Minister may himself make them, and the regulations so made shall have effect as if they had been made by the local authority with the consent of the Minister.