(1)Subject to subsection (2), a house meets the tolerable standard for the purposes of this Act if the house—
(a)is structurally stable;
(b)is substantially free from rising or penetrating damp;
(c)has satisfactory provision for natural and artificial lighting, for ventilation and for heating;
(d)has an adequate piped supply of wholesome water available within the house;
(e)has a sink provided with a satisfactory supply of both hot and cold water within the house;
(f)has a water closet available for the exclusive use of the occupants of the house and suitably located within the house;
(g)has an effective system for the drainage and disposal of foul and surface water;
(h)has satisfactory facilities for the cooking of food within the house;
(i)has satisfactory access to all external doors and outbuildings;
and any reference to a house not meeting the tolerable standard or being brought up to the tolerable standard shall be construed accordingly.
(2)The Secretary of State may by order vary or extend or amplify the criteria set out in the foregoing subsection either generally or, after consultation with a particular local authority, in relation to the district, or any part of the district, of that authority.
(3)This section shall be without prejudice to section 114 (certain underground rooms to be treated as houses not meeting the tolerable standard).