Subject to section 365 if it appears to the local housing authority that the means of escape from fire would be adequate if part of the house were not used for human habitation, they may secure that that part is not so used.
For that purpose, the authority may, if after consultation with any owner or mortgagee they think fit to do so, accept an undertaking from him that that part will not be used for human habitation without the permission of the authority.
If the local housing authority do not accept an undertaking under subsection (2) with respect to a part of a house, or where they have accepted such an undertaking and that part of the house is at any time used in contravention of the undertaking, the authority may make a closing order with respect to that part of the house.
The provisions of Part IX apply to a closing order under subsection (4) as they apply to a closing order made under section 264, but with with the following modifications—
Nothing in the Rent Acts or Part I of the Housing Act 1988 prevents possession being obtained of a part of a house which in accordance with an undertaking in pursuance of this section cannot for the time being be used for human habitation.