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Housing and Building Control Act 1984

Current text a fecha 1984-06-26

PART I — Disposal of Public Sector Dwelling-Houses and Rights of Secure Tenants

Right to buy

Extension to certain cases where landlord does not own freehold.

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(a) if the dwelling-house is a house and the landlord owns the freehold, to acquire the freehold of the dwelling-house; (b) if the landlord does not own the freehold or (whether or not the landlord owns it) the dwelling-house is a flat, to be granted a lease of the dwelling-house; and

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or has an interest sufficient to grant a lease in pursuance of this Chapter— (a) where the dwelling-house is a house, for a term exceeding 21 years commencing with the relevant time; (b) where the dwelling-house is a flat, for a term of not less than 50 years commencing with that time.

Variation of circumstances in which right does not arise.

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(1) (1) The dwelling-house either forms part of, or is within the curtilage of, a building to which sub-paragraph (2) below applies or is situated in a cemetery and (in either case) the dwelling-house was let to the tenant or to a predecessor in title of his in consequence of the tenant or predecessor being in the employment of the landlord or of a body specified in sub-paragraph (3) below. (2) This sub-paragraph applies to a building if the building or so much of it as is held by the landlord— (a) is held mainly for purposes other than housing purposes; and (b) consists mainly of accommodation other than housing accommodation; and in this sub-paragraph ' housing purposes ' means the purposes for which dwelling-houses are held by local authorities under Part V of the 1957 Act or purposes corresponding to those purposes. (3) The bodies referred to in sub-paragraph (1) above are— (a) a local authority; (b) a development corporation; (c) an urban development corporation within the meaning of Part XVI of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 (d) the Commission for the New Towns; (e) a county council; (f) the governors of an aided school; and (g) the Development Board for Rural Wales.

(3) The dwelling-house has features which are substantially different from those of ordinary dwelling-houses and which are designed to make it suitable for occupation by physically disabled persons and either— (a) the dwelling-house has had those features since it was constructed or, where it was provided by means of the conversion of a building, since it was so provided; or (b) the dwelling-house is one of a group of dwelling-houses which it is the practice of the landlord to let for occupation by physically disabled persons and a social service or special facilities are provided in close proximity to the group of dwelling-houses wholly or partly for the purpose of assisting those persons. (3A) The landlord or a predecessor of the landlord has carried out, for the purpose of making the dwelling-house suitable for occupation by physically disabled persons, one or more of the following alterations, namely— (a) the provision of not less than 7\5 square metres of additional floor space; (b) the provision of an additional bathroom or shower-room; (c) the installation of a vertical lift. (3B) The dwelling-house is one of a group of dwelling-houses which it is the practice of the landlord to let for occupation by persons who are suffering or have suffered from a mental disorder (within the meaning of the Mental Health Act 1983) and a social service or special facilities are provided wholly or partly for the purpose of assisting those persons. (4) The dwelling-house is one of a group of dwelling-houses which are particularly suitable, having regard to their location, size, design, heating systems and other features, for occupation by persons of pensionable age and which it is the practice of the landlord to let for occupation by such persons, or for occupation by such persons and physically disabled persons, and special facilities are provided wholly or mainly for the purpose of assisting those persons which consist of or include either— (a) the services of a resident warden; or (b) the services of a non-resident warden, a system for calling him and the use of a common room in close proximity to the group of dwelling-houses.

(5) (1) The Secretary of State has determined, on the application of the landlord, that the right to buy is not to be capable of being exercised with respect to the dwelling-house; and he shall so determine if, and only if, he is satisfied that the dwelling-house— (a) is particularly suitable, having regard to its location, size, design, heating system and other features, for occupation by persons of pensionable age; and (b) was let to the tenant or to a predecessor in title of his for occupation by a person of pensionable age or a physically disabled person (whether the tenant or predecessor or any other person). (2) An application for a determination under this paragraph shall be made within four weeks or, in a case falling within section 5(2) of this Act, eight weeks of the service of the notice claiming to exercise the right to buy.

Further periods to count for qualification and discount.

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(3) The right to buy does not arise unless the period which, in accordance with Part I of Schedule 1A to this Act, is to be taken into account for the purposes of this subsection is a period of not less than two years. (4) Where the secure tenancy is a joint tenancy the condition in subsection (3) above need be satisfied with respect to one only of the joint tenants.

(1) A person exercising the right to buy is entitled to a discount equal, subject to the following provisions of this section, to the following persentage of the price before discount, that is to say— (a) if the period which, in accordance with Part I of Schedule 1A to this Act, is to be taken into account for the purposes of discount is less than three years, 32 per cent.; and (b) if that period is three years or more, 32 per cent. plus one per cent. for each complete year by which that period exceeds two years, but not together exceeding 60 per cent.; and where joint tenants exercise the right to buy, that Part of that Schedule shall be construed as if for the secure tenant there were substituted that one of the joint tenants whose substitution will produce the largest discount. (1A) There shall be deducted from the discount any amount which, in accordance with Part II of Schedule 1A to this Act, falls to be so deducted.

Inclusion of land let with or used for purposes of dwelling-house.

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(4) There shall be treated as included in a dwelling-house any land which is or has been used for the purposes of the dwelling-house if— (a) the tenant, by a written notice served on the landlord at any time before he exercises the right to buy, requires the land to be included in the dwelling-house; and (b) it is reasonable in all the circumstances for the land to be so included. (4A) A notice under subsection (4) above may be withdrawn by a written notice served on the landlord at any time before the tenant exercises the right to buy.

Repayment of discount on early disposal.

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(3) A disposal is a relevant disposal for the purposes of this section if it is— (a) a further conveyance of the freehold or an assignment of the lease; or (b) the grant of a lease or sub-lease for a term of more than twenty-one years otherwise than at a rack rent, whether the disposal is of the whole or part of the dwelling-house; and for the purposes of paragraph (b) above it shall be assumed that any option to renew or extend a lease or sub-lease, whether or not forming part of a series of options, is exercised, and that any option to terminate a lease or sub-lease is not exercised. (3A) A relevant disposal is exempted by this subsection if— (a) it is a disposal of the whole of the dwelling-house and a further conveyance of the freehold or an assignment of the lease and the person or each of the persons to whom it is made is a qualifying person; (b) it is a vesting of the whole of the dwelling-house in a person taking under a will or on an intestacy; (c) it is a disposal of the whole of the dwelling-house in pursuance of an order under section 24 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 or section 2 of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975; (d) the property disposed of is acquired compulsorily or by a person who has made or would have made, or for whom another person has made or would have made, a compulsory purchase order authorising its compulsory purchase for the purposes for which it is acquired; or (e) the property disposed of is land included in the dwelling-house by virtue of section 3(4) or 50(2) of this Act. (3B) For the purposes of subsection (3A)(a) above a person is a qualifying person in relation to a disposal if he— (a) is the person or one of the persons by whom it is made; (b) is the spouse or a former spouse of that person or one of those persons; or (c) is a member of the family of that person or one of those persons and has resided with him throughout the period of twelve months ending with the disposal. (3C) Where there is a relevant disposal which is exempted by subsection (3A)(d) or (e) above— (a) the covenant required by subsection (1) above shall not be binding on the person to whom the disposal is made or any successor in title of his; and (b) that covenant and the charge taking effect by virtue of subsection (4) below shall cease to apply in relation to the property disposed of.

(4A) The landlord may at any time by written notice served on a body falling within subsection (5) below postpone the charge taking effect by virtue of subsection (4) above to any legal charge securing any amount advanced or further advanced to the tenant by that body.

(5) The bodies referred to in subsection (4)(b) and (4A) above are— (a) the Housing Corporation; (b) any building society; (c) any body falling within paragraphs 6 to 9 of the Schedule to the Home Purchase Assistance and Housing Corporation Guarantee Act 1978; and (d) any body specified or of a class or description specified in an order made by the Secretary of State with the consent of the Treasury. (5A) Before making an order under subsection (5) above varying or revoking an order previously made, the Secretary of State shall give an opportunity for representations to be made on behalf of any body which, if the order were made, would cease to be a body falling within that subsection.

Notice to complete by landlord.

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(2) Subject to subsections (2A) and (3) below, the landlord may at any time serve on the tenant a written notice— (a) requiring him— (i) if all relevant matters have been agreed or determined, to complete the transaction within a period stated in the notice; (ii) if any relevant matters are outstanding, to serve on the landlord within that period a written notice to that effect specifying those matters; and (b) informing the tenant of the effect of this subsection and of subsections (2A), (3), (6) and (6B) below; and the period stated in a notice under this subsection shall be such period (not less than 56 days) as may be reasonable in the circumstances. (2A) A notice under subsection (2) above shall not be served at any time if, at that time— (a) any requirement for the determination or re-determination of the value of the dwelling-house by the district valuer has not been complied with; (b) any proceedings for the determination of any other relevant matter have not been disposed of; or (c) any relevant matter stated to be outstanding in a written notice served on the landlord by the tenant has not been agreed in writing or determined.

(6) If the tenant does not comply with a notice under subsection (2) above, the landlord may serve on him a further written notice— (a) requiring him to complete the transaction within a period stated in the notice; and (b) informing him of the effect of subsection (6B) below; and the period stated in a notice under this subsection shall be such period (not less than 56 days) as may be reasonable in the circumstances. (6A) At any time before the end of the period stated in a notice under subsection (6) above (or that period as extended under this subsection), the landlord may by a written notice served on the tenant extend (or further extend) that period. (6B) If the tenant does not comply with a notice under subsection (6) above the notice claiming to exercise the right to buy shall be deemed to be withdrawn at the end of the period stated in the notice under that subsection or, as the case may require, that period as extended under subsection (6A) above.

(12) In this section "relevant matters' means matters relating to the grant and to the amount to be left outstanding or advanced on the security of the dwelling-house.

Terms of conveyance or grant.

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(5A) Any provision of the conveyance or lease shall be void in so far as it purports to enable the landlord to charge the tenant any sum for or in connection with the giving of any consent or approval.

(16) A Provision is not void by virtue of paragraph 15 above in so far as it requires the tenant to bear a reasonable part of— (a) the costs of carrying out repairs not amounting to the making good of structural defects; (b) the costs of making good any structural defects falling within paragraph 17 below; or (c) where the lease acknowledges the right of the tenant and his successors in title to production of the relevant policy, the costs of insuring against risks involving such repairs or the making good of such defects. (17) (1) A structural defect falls within this paragraph if the notice under section 10 of this Act— (a) informed the tenant of its existence; and (b) stated the landlord’s estimate of the amount (at current prices) which would be payable by the tenant towards the costs of making it good. (2) A structural defect falls within this paragraph if the landlord does not become aware of its existence earlier than 10 years after the lease is granted.

Dwelling-houses in National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty etc.

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(7) If the landlord accepts the offer mentioned in subsection (4) above, the consideration shall be reduced by such amount (if any) as, on a relevant disposal made at the time that the offer was made and not exempted by subsection (3A) of section 8 of this Act, would fall to be paid under the covenant required by subsection (1) of that section; and no payment shall be required in pursuance of that covenant.

(11) Where there is a relevant disposal which is exempted by section 8(3A)(d) or (e) of this Act, any such covenant as is mentioned in subsection (1) above shall cease to apply in relation to the property disposed of.

Secretary of State’s power to give directions as to covenants and conditions.

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After section 24 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following sections—

(24A) (1) Where it appears to the Secretary of State that, if covenants or conditions of any kind were included in conveyances or grants of dwelling-houses of any description, the conveyances or grants would not conform with Parts I and II or, as the case may be, Parts I and III of Schedule 2 to this Act, he may direct landlords generally, landlords of a particular description or particular landlords not to include covenants or conditions of that kind in conveyances or grants of dwelling-houses of that description which are executed on or after a date specified in the direction. (2) A direction given under this section may be varied or withdrawn by a subsequent direction so given. (3) In this section and section 24B below any reference to conveyances or grants is a reference to conveyances or grants executed in pursuance of this Chapter. (24B) (1) If a direction under section 24A above so provides, the provisions of this section shall apply in relation to any covenant or condition which— (a) was included in a conveyance or grant executed before the date specified in the direction (in this section referred to as "the specified date'); and (b) could not have been so included if the conveyance or grant had been executed on or after that date. (2) The covenant or condition shall be discharged or (if the direction so provides) modified, as from the specified date, to such extent or in such manner as may be provided by the direction; and the discharge or modification shall be binding on all persons entitled or capable of becoming entitled to the benefit of the covenant or condition. (3) The landlord by whom the conveyance or grant was executed shall within such period as may be specified in the direction— (a) serve on the person registered as the proprietor of the dwelling-house, and on any person registered as the proprietor of a charge affecting the dwelling-house, a written notice informing him of the discharge or modification; and (b) on behalf of the person registered as the proprietor of the dwelling-house, apply to the Chief Land Registrar (and pay the appropriate fee) for notice of the discharge or modification to be entered in the register; and for the purposes of enabling the landlord to comply with the requirements of this subsection, the Chief Land Registrar shall (notwithstanding section 112 of the Land Registration Act 1925) allow any person authorised by the landlord to inspect and make copies of and extracts from any register or document which is in the custody of the Chief Land Registrar and relates to the dwelling-house. (4) Notwithstanding anything in section 64 of the Land Registration Act 1925, notice of the discharge or modification may be entered in the register without the production of any land certificate outstanding in respect of the dwelling-house, but without prejudice to the power of the Chief Land Registrar to compel production of the certificate for the purposes mentioned in that section.

Secretary of State’s power to obtain information etc.

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After section 24B of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

(24C) (1) Where it appears to the Secretary of State necessary or expedient for the purpose of determining whether his powers under section 23, 24A or 24B above are exercisable, or for or in connection with the exercise of those powers, the Secretary of State may by notice in writing to a landlord require it— (a) At such time and at such place as may be specified in the notice, to produce any document; or (b) within such period as may be so specified or such longer period as the secretary of State may allow, to furnish a copy of any document or supply any information; and any officer of the landlord designated in the notice for that purpose or having custody or control of the document or in a position to give that information shall, without instructions from the landlord, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the notice is complied with. (2) Any reference in subsection (1) above to a landlord includes a reference to— (a) a landlord by whom a conveyance or grant was executed in pursuance of this chapter; and (b) a body which has become a mortgagee in consequence of the exercise by a secure tenant of the right to a mortgage.

Secretary of State’s power to give assistance.

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After section 24C of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

(24D) (1) Where, in relation to any proceedings or prospective proceedings to which this section applies, the actual or prospective party to the proceedings who has claimed to exercise or has exercised the right to buy, or is a successor in title of a person who has exercised that right, applies to the Secretary of State for assistance under this section, the Secretary of State may grant the application if he thinks fit to do so— (a) on the ground that the case raises a question of principle; or (b) on the ground that it is unreasonable having regard to the complexity of the case or to any other matter, to expect the applicant to deal with the case without any assistance under this section; or (c) by reason of any other special consideration. (2) This section applies to any proceedings under this Chapter and any proceedings to determine any question arising under or in connection with this Chapter or any conveyance or grant executed in pursuance of this Chapter, other than proceedings to determine any question as to the value of a dwelling-house at the relevant time. (3) Assistance by the Secretary of State under this section may include— (a) giving advice; (b) procuring or attempting to procure the settlement of the matter in dispute; (c) arranging for the giving of advice or assistance by a solicitor or counsel; (d) arranging for representation by a solicitor or counsel, including such assistance as is usually given by a solicitor or counsel in the steps preliminary or incidental to any proceedings, or in arriving at or giving effect to a compromise to avoid or bring to an end any proceedings; (e) any other form of assistance which the Secretary of State may consider appropriate, but paragraph (d) above shall not affect the law and practice regulating the descriptions of persons who may appear in, conduct, defend, and address the court in, any proceedings. (4) In so far as expenses are incurred by the Secretary of State in providing the applicant with assistance under this section, the recovery of those expenses (as taxed or assessed in such manner as may be prescribed by rules of court) shall constitute a first charge for the benefit of the Secretary of State— (a) on any costs which (whether by virtue of a judgment or order of a court or an agreement or otherwise) are payable to the applicant by any other person in respect of the matter in connection with which the assistance is given; and (b) so far as relates to any costs, on his rights under any compromise or settlement arrived at in connection with that matter to avoid or bring to an end any proceedings. (5) A charge conferred by subsection (4) above is subject to any charge under the Legal Aid Act 1974 and to any provision of that Act for payment of any sum into the legal aid fund. (6) Any expenses incurred by the Secretary of State in providing assistance under this section shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament; and any sums received by the Secretary of State by virtue of any charge conferred by subsection (4) above shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund. (7) Any reference in this section to a solicitor includes a reference to the Treasury Solicitor.

Right to a shared ownership lease

Right to be granted a shared ownership lease.

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Notice claiming exercise of right.

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Notice of initial contribution etc.

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Change of landlord after notice claiming right.

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Where, after a secure tenant has given notice claiming to exercise the right to be granted a shared ownership lease, the interest of the landlord in the dwelling-house passes from the landlord to another body, all parties shall be in the same position as if the other body had become the landlord before the notice was given and had been given that notice and any further notice given by the tenant to the landlord and had taken all steps which the landlord had taken.

Right to further advances.

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Completion.

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and the period stated in a notice under this subsection shall be such period (not less than 56 days) as may be reasonable in the circumstances.

and the period stated in a notice under this subsection shall be such period (not less than 56 days) as may be reasonable in the circumstances.

Other provisions with respect to disposals

Recovery of service charges.

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and in that Schedule expressions used in this section have the same meaning as in this section.

Vesting of mortgaged dwelling-house in local authority etc.

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the first mentioned covenant or provision shall have effect, as from that date, with such modifications as may be necessary to bring it into conformity with the provision made by sub-sections (1) and (3) above.

Local authority and Housing Corporation indemnities for certain mortgagees.

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Local authority contributions towards certain mortgage costs.

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Consent to certain voluntary disposals.

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unless (in either case) it has been aquired or appropriated by the local authority for the purposes of Part V of the 1957 Act.

then, unless the disposal is to an individual (or to two or more individuals) and does not extend to any other dwelling-house to which this section applies, it shall be void and section 128(2) of the Local Government Act 1972, or, as the case may be, section 29 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1959 (protection of purchasers) shall not apply.

Covenants which must or may be imposed on certain voluntary disposals.

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Schedule 6 shall have effect for the purpose of making, in relation to section 104B (repayment of discount on early disposal) and section 104C (houses in National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty etc.) of the 1957 Act, provision corresponding to that made, in relation to sections 8 and 19 of the 1980 Act, by sections 5 and 8 above.

Further advances in the case of certain voluntary disposals.

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Other rights of secure tenants

Grounds and orders for possession.

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The tenancy was assigned to the tenant, or to a predecessor in title of is who is a member of his family and is residing in the dwelling-house, by an assignment made by virtue of section 37A of this Act and a premium was paid either in connection with that assignment or the assignment which the tenant or predecessor himself made by virtue of that section. In this paragraph ' premium ' means any fine or other like sum and any other pecuniary consideration in addition to rent. The dwelling-house forms part of, or is within the curtilage of, a building to which sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 1 of Part I of schedule 1 to this Act applies and— (a) the dwelling-house was let to the tenant or a predecessor in title of his in consequence of the tenant or predecessor being in the employment of the landlord or of a body specified in sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph; and (b) the tenant or any person residing in the dwelling-house has been guilty of conduct such that, having regard to the purpose for which the building is used, it would not be right for him to continue in occupation of the dwelling-house.

The dwelling-house either forms part of, or is within the curtilage of, a building to which sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act applies or is situated in a cemetery and (in either case)— (a) the landlord reasonably requires the dwelling-house for occupation as a residence for some person engaged in the employment of the landlord or of a body specified in sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph or with whom, conditional on housing being provided, a contract for such employment has been entered into; and (b) the dwelling-house was let to the tenant or to a predecessor in title of his in consequence of the tenant or predecesor being in the employment of the landlord or of a body so specified and the tenant or predecessor has ceased to be in that employment.

(3A) The matters to be taken into account by the court in determining whether it is reasonable to make an order on ground 13 shall include— (a) the age of the tenant; (b) the period during which the tenant has occupied the dwelling-house as his only or principal home; and (c) any financial or other support given by the tenant to the previous tenant.

Assignments and other disposals of secure tenancies.

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(37) (1) A tenancy to which subsection (2) below applies shall not be capable of being assigned, and if a tenancy to which subection (3) below applies is assigned it ceases to be a secure tenancy, unless (in either case)— (a) the assignment is made in pursuance of an order made under section 24 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973; or (b) the assignment is made to a person in whom the tenancy would or might have vested by virtue of section 30 above had the tenant died immediately before the assignment, or in whom it would or might have so vested had the tenancy been a periodic tenancy; or (c) the assignment is made by virtue of section 37A below. (2) This subsection applies to any tenancy which— (a) is a secure tenancy to which subsection (3) below does not apply; or (b) would be such a tenancy if the condition described in section 28(3) above as the tenant condition were satisfied. (3) This subsection applies to any secure tenancy which is for a term certain and was granted before 5th November 1982. (4) Where— (a) a tenancy ceases to be a secure tenancy by virtue of subsection (1) above; or (b) a tenancy which would be a tenancy to which subsection (3) above applies if the condition described in section 28(3) above as the tenant condition were satisfied is assigned, the tenancy cannot become a secure tenancy. (37A) (1) It is by virtue of this section a term of every secure tenancy that the tenant may, with the written consent of the landlord, assign the tenancy to a person to whom this subsection applies; and this subsection applies to any person who is the tenant under a secure tenancy and has the written consent of his landlord to assign the tenancy either to the first mentioned tenant or to another person to whom this subsection applies. (2) The consent required by virtue of this section is not to be withheld except on one or more of the grounds set out in Schedule 4A to this Act and, if withheld otherwise than on one of those grounds, shall be treated as given. (3) The landlord shall not be entitled to rely on any of the grounds set out in Schedule 4A to this Act unless, within 42 days of the tenant’s application for the consent, the landlord has served on the tenant a notice specifying that ground and giving particulars of it. (4) Where any rent lawfully due from the tenant has not been paid or any obligation of the tenancy has been broken or not performed, the consent required by virtue of this section may be given subject to a condition requiring the tenant to pay the outstanding rent, remedy the breach or perform the obligation. (5) Except as provided by subsection (4) above, a consent required by this section cannot be given subject to a condition, and any condition imposed otherwise than as so provided shall be disregarded. (37B) (1) If the tenant under a secure tenancy parts with the possession of the dwelling-house or sub-lets the whole of it (or sub-lets first part of it and then the remainder) the tenancy ceases be a secure tenancy. (2) Where, on the death of the tenant, a secure tenancy is vested or otherwise disposed of in the course of the administration of his estate, the tenancy ceases to be a secure tenancy unless— (a) the vesting or other disposal is in pursuance of an order made under section 24 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973; or (b) the vesting or other disposal is to a person in whom the tenancy would or might have vested by virtue of section 30 above had the tenancy been a periodic tenancy. (3) Where— (a) a tenancy ceases to be a secure tenancy by virtue of this section; or (b) in the case of a tenancy which would be a secure tenancy if the condition described in section 28(3) above as the tenant condition were satisfied, the tenant parts with the possession of the dwelling-house or sub-lets the whole of it (or sub-lets first part of it and then the remainder), The tenancy cannot become a secure tenancy.

Rent not to increase on account of certain improvements.

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In section 39 of the 1980 Act (rent not to be increased on account of tenant’s improvements) for paragraph (b) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—

(b) if he has died and on his death the tenancy vested under section 30 above, at any time whilst the person in whom the tenancy so vested is a secure tenant of that dwelling-house; or (c) if he has assigned the tenancy and the assignment was made as mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of section 37(1) above, at any time whilst the assignee is a secure tenant of that dwelling-house; or (d) if the tenancy has been transferred to his spouse or former spouse by an order under paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Matrimonial Homes Act 1983, at any time whilst the transferee is a secure tenant of that dwelling-house.

Right to carry out repairs.

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After section 41 of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

(41A) (1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make a scheme for entitling secure tenants, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of the scheme— (a) to carry out to the dwelling-houses of which they are secure tenants repairs which their landlords are obliged by repairing covenants to carry out; and (b) after carrying out the repairs, to recover from their landlords such sums as may be determined by or under the scheme. (2) Regulations under this section may make such procedural, incedental, supplementary and transitional provision as may appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient. (3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (2) above, regulations under this section— (a) may provide for any question arising under the scheme to be referred to and determined by the county court; and (b) may provide that where a secure tenant makes application under the scheme his landlord’s obligation under the repairing covenant shall cease to apply for such period and to such extent as may be determined by or under the scheme. (4) In this section ' repairing covenant ', in relation to a dwelling-house, means a covenant (whether express or implied) obliging the landlord to keep in repair the dwelling-house or any part of the dwelling house.

Heating charges.

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After section 41A of the 1980 Act there shall be inserted the following section—

(41B) (1) In this section— - ' heating authority ' means any of the following, namely a local authority, a development corporation, the Commission for the New Towns or the Development Board for Rural Wales, which— operates a generating station or other installation for producing heat; and supplies heat produced at that installation to any premises; - ' heating charge ' means an amount payable to a heating authority in respect of heat so produced and so supplied whether or not, in the case of heat supplied to premises let by the authority, it is payable as part of the rent; - ' heating costs ' means expenses incurred by a heating authority in operating a generating station or other installation for producing heat; and a secure tenant is one to whom this section applies if a heating authority supplies heat produced at such an installation to the dwelling-house of which he is such a tenant. (2) The Secretary of State may by regulations require heating authorities to adopt such methods for determining any heating charges payable by secure tenants to whom this section applies as will secure that the proportion of heating costs borne by each of those tenants is no greater than is reasonable. (3) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for entitling secure tenants to whom this section applies, subject to and in accordance with the regulations, to require the heating authorities concerned— (a) to furnish to them, in such form as may be prescribed by the regulations, such information as to heating charges and heating costs as may be so prescribed; and (b) where any such information has been so furnished, to afford them reasonable facilities for inspecting the accounts, receipts and other documents supporting the information and for taking copies or extracts from them. (4) Regulations under this section may make such procedural, incidental, supplementary and transitional provision as may appear to the Secretary of State to be necessary or expedient. (5) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4) above, regulations under this section may provide for any question arising under the regulations to be referred to and determined by the county court. (6) Any reference in this section to heat produced at an installation includes a reference to steam produced from, and air and water heated by, heat so produced.

Miscellaneous

Power to extend right to buy etc.

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Dwelling-houses on public trust land.

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Where a dwelling-house let on a secure tenancy is land held—

then, for the purpose of Chapter I of Part I of the 1980 Act and this part of this Act, the dwelling-house shall be deemed to be freed from any trust arising solely by virtue of its being land held in trust for enjoyment by the public in accordance with the said section 164 or, as the case may be, the said section 10.

Errors and omissions in notices.

32

the parties shall, as soon as practicable after they become aware of the mistake, take all such steps (whether by way of amending, withdrawing or re-serving any notice or extending any period or otherwise) as may be requisite for the purpose of securing that all parties are (as nearly as may be) in the same position as that in which they would have been if the mistake had not been made.

Housing association grant.

33

Repayment of housing association grant.

34

(aa) there has been paid to the association in respect of any land to which the grant relates an amount payable in pursuance of— (i) the covenant required by section 104B(2) of the Housing Act 1957 or section 8(1) of the Housing Act 1980 (covenant for repayment of discount) or any other provision to the like effect; or (ii) the provision required by paragraph 3, 6 or 7 of Schedule 3 to the Housing and Building Control Act 1984 (terms of shared ownership lease) or any other provision to the like effect;

.

the association shall notify the Secretary of State of the disposal or payment and, if so required by written notice of the Secretary of State, shall furnish him with such particulars of and information relating to the disposal or payment as are specified in the notice.

Provisions as respects certain tenants of charitable housing associations etc.

35

shall have effect as if the association first acquired the dwelling-house and then disposed of it to that tenant.

Meaning of “secure tenancy”.

36

(aa) a county council;

.

(2A) A tenancy is not a secure tenancy if the tenant is a member of a police force and the dwelling-house is provided for him free of rent and rates in pursuance of regulations made under section 33 of the Police Act 1964. (2B) (1) A tenancy is not a secure tenancy if the tenant is an employee of a fire authority and— (a) his contract of employment requires him to live in close proximity to a particular fire station and (b) the dwelling-house was let to him by the authority in consequence of that requirement. (2) In this paragraph "contract of employment' has the same meaning as in paragraph 2 above and "fire authority' means a fire authority for the purposes of the Fire Services Acts 1947 to 1959. (2C) (1) A tenancy is not a secure tenancy until the periods to be taken into account for the purposes of this paragraph amount in aggregate to more than three years if— (a) within the period of three years immediately preceding the grant the conditions mentioned in paragraph 2, 2A or 2B above have been satisfied with respect to a tenancy of the dwelling-house; and (b) before the grant of the tenancy the landlord notified the tenant in writing of the circumstances in which this exception applies and that in its opinion the proposed tenancy would fall within this exception. (2) A period is to be taken into account for the purposes of this paragraph unless it is a period during which the conditions mentioned in paragraph 2, 2A or 2B above are satisfied with respect to the tenancy.

In this paragraph “surrounding area”, in relation to a district or London borough, means the area which consists of each district or London borough that adjoins it.

Supplemental

Transitional provisions.

37

Interpretation of Part I.

38

PART II — Supervision of Building Work Etc. Otherwise than by Local Authorities

Supervision of plans and work by approved inspectors

Giving and acceptance of an initial notice.

39

then, so long as the initial notice continues in force, the approved inspector by whom the notice was given shall undertake such functions as may be prescribed with respect to the inspection of plans of the work specified in the notice, the supervision of that work and the giving of certificates and other notices.

and in any case where the work to which an initial notice relates is work of such a description that, if plans of it had been deposited with the local authority, the authority could, under any enactment, have imposed requirements as a condition of passing the plans, the local authority may impose the like requirements as a condition of accepting the initial notice.

and building regulations may empower a local authority to extend (whether before or after its expiry) any such period of time as is referred to in paragraph (b) above.

Effect of an initial notice.

40

Approved inspectors.

41

and, without prejudice to the generality of paragraph (b) above, an approved inspector shall be liable for negligence on the part of any person carrying out any inspection on his behalf in like manner as if it were negligence by a servant of his acting in the course of his employment.

Plans certificates.

42

he shall, if requested to do so by the person intending to carry out the work, give a certificate in the prescribed form (in the enactments relating to building regulations referred to as a “plans certificate”) to the local authority and to that person.

the authority shall be conclusively presumed to have accepted the certificate.

Final certificates.

43

such certificate with respect to the completion of the work and the discharge of his functions as may be prescribed (in the enactments relating to building regulations referred to as a “final certificate”).

Cancellation of initial notice.

44

the approved inspector shall cancel the initial notice by notice in the prescribed form given to the local authority concerned and to the person carrying out or intending to carry out the work.

Effect of initial notice ceasing to be in force.

45

then, with respect to the work specified in the certificate, such of the functions of a local authority referred to in section 40(1) above as may be prescribed for the purposes of this subsection either shall not be exercisable or shall be exercisable only in prescribed circumstances.

section 42(1) above shall not apply in relation to so much of the work to which the new initial notice relates as is work specified in the plans certificate.

Supervision of their own work by public bodies

Giving, acceptance and effect of public body’s notice.

46

and in any case where the work to which the public body’s notice relates is work of such a description that, if plans of it had been deposited with the local authority, the authority could, under any enactment, have imposed requirements as a condition of passing the plans, the local authority may impose the like requirements as a condition of accepting the public body’s notice.

Supplemental

Appeals.

47

may appeal to a magistrates' court acting for the petty sessions area in which is situated land on which will be or has been carried out any work to which the notice or certificate relates.

Register of notices and certificates.

48

Offences.

49

he shall be guilty of an offence.

Information, reports and returns.

50

Where an initial notice or a public body’s notice has continued in force for any period, the local authority by whom it was accepted may require the approved inspector or public body by whom it was given to furnish them with any information which—

and that section shall have effect as if during that period that function had continued to be so exercisable.

Interpretation of Part II.

51

PART III — Miscellaneous Amendments Relating to Building Work

Exemptions and relaxations for public bodies

Exemption of local authorities etc. from procedural requirements of building regulations.

52

from compliance with any requirements of those regulations which are not substantive requirements.

Power of certain public bodies to relax requirements of building regulations for their own works.

53

(2A) If— (a) building regulations so provide as regards any requirement contained in the regulations, and (b) a public body considers that the operation of any such requirement would be unreasonable in relation to any particular work carried out or proposed to be carried out by or on behalf of the public body, the public body may give a direction dispensing with or relaxing that requirement. (2B) In subsection (2A) above “public body” means— (a) a local authority; (b) a county council; and (c) any other body which is prescribed for the purposes of section 52 of the Housing and Building Control Act 1984.

of the Fire Precautions Act 1971 (consultation with fire authority prior to exercise by local authority of powers under section 6 of the 1961 Act) after the words “local authority”, in the first place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “or a public body, as defined in section 6(2B) of that Act, proposes to exercise the power conferred on it by section 6(2A) of that Act” and after the words “local authority”, in the second place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “or other body”.

Approved documents giving practical guidance

Approval of documents for purposes of building regulations. .

54

if in the opinion of the Secretary of State or, as the case may be, the body concerned the document is suitable for that purpose.

and subsection (3) above shall, with the necessary modifications, apply in relation to an approval which is given under this subsection to a revision as it applies in relation to an approval which is given under subsection (1a) above to a document.

Compliance or noncompliance with approved documents.

55

Certification and reports

Certificates of compliance with building regulations.

56

(2C) Where the deposited plans are accompanied by— (a) a certificate given by a person approved for the purposes of this subsection to the effect that the proposed work, if carried out in accordance with the deposited plans, will comply with such provisions of the regulations prescribed for the purposes of this subsection as may be specified in the certificate, and (b) such evidence as may be prescribed that an approved scheme applies, or the prescribed insurance cover has been or will be provided, in relation to the certificate, the local authority may not except in prescribed circumstances reject the plans on the ground that they are defective with respect to any provisions of the regulations which are so specified or that they show that the proposed work would contravene any of those provisions.

(3) In any case where a question arises under this section between a local authority and a person who proposes to carry out any work— (a) whether plans of the proposed work are in conformity with building regulations; or (b) whether the local authority are prohibited from rejecting plans of the proposed work by virtue of subsection (2C) above, that person may refer the question to the Secretary of State for his determination; and an application for a reference under this subsection shall be accompanied by such fee as may be prescribed by building regulations.

(3A) Where deposited plans accompanied by such a certificate and such evidence as are mentioned in subsection (2C) above are passed by the local authority, or notice of the rejection of deposited plans so accompanied is not given within the prescribed period from the deposit of the plans, the authority may not institute proceedings under section 4(6) of the 1961 Act for any contravention of building regulations which— (a) arises out of the carrying out of the proposed work in accordance with the plans; and (b) is a contravention of any of the provisions of the regulations specified in the certificate.

and any such approval may limit the description of work, or the provisions of the regulations, in relation to which the person concerned is so approved.

Methods of challenging section 65 notices.

57

Miscellaneous

Charges by local authorities for performing functions relating to building regulations.

58

Building regulations may authorise local authorities, subject to and in accordance with the regulations, to fix by means of schemes and to recover such charges for or in connection with the performance of functions of theirs relating to building regulations as they may determine in accordance with principles prescribed by the regulations.

Amendments of enactments relating to building regulations.

59

shall cease to have effect.

Amendments of enactments relating to sanitation and buildings.

60

expressions which are defined by subsection (1) of section 82 of the 1974 Act shall have the meanings given by that subsection.

Repeal of the Building Control Act 1966.

61

Interpretation of Part III.

62

PART IV — Miscellaneous and General

Financial provisions.

63

Minor and consequential amendments.

64

The enactments mentioned in Schedule 11 to this Act shall have effect subject to the amendments there specified (being minor amendments and amendments consequential on the preceding provisions of this Act).

Repeals.

65

The enactments mentioned in Part II of Schedule 12 to this Act are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.

Short title, commencement and extent.

66

shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint; and different days may be so appointed for different provisions or for different purposes.

SCHEDULE 1

1

In section 1(8) (right to acquire freehold or long lease) and section 10(1)(a) (notice of purchase price and right to a mortgage) of the 1980 Act for the words “long lease” there shall be substituted the word “lease”.

2

In section 6(4)(a) of the 1980 Act (assumptions on the grant of a lease) for the words from “for 125 years” onwards there shall be substituted the words “with vacant possession for the appropriate term defined in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 11 of Schedule 2 to this Act (but subject to sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph)”.

3

In section 14 of the 1980 Act (change of landlord after notice claiming right to buy or right to a mortgage) for the words “the freehold of” there shall be substituted the words “the interest of the landlord in”.

4

In section 16(1) of the 1980 Act (completion) for paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—

(a) if the dwelling-house is a house and the landlord owns the freehold, a grant of the dwelling-house for an estate in fee simple absolute; and (b) if the landlord does not own the freehold or (whether or not the landlord owns it) the dwelling-house is a flat, a grant of a lease of the dwelling-house for the appropriate term defined in sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 11 of Schedule 2 to this Act (but subject to sub-paragraph (3) of that paragraph);

.

5

At the end of section 17 of the 1980 Act (conveyance of freehold and grant of lease) there shall be inserted the words “and other matters”.

6

Section 18 of the 1980 Act (right to a mortgage—terms of mortgage deed) shall be renumbered as subsection (1) of that section, in that provision as so renumbered the words from “but the Secretary of State” onwards shall be omitted and after that provision as so renumbered there shall be inserted the following subsections—

(2) Where the mortgagor’s interest in the dwelling-house is leasehold and the term of the lease is less than 25 years, subsection (1)(b) above shall have effect as if the reference to 25 years were a reference to the term of the lease. (3) The Secretary of State may by order prescribe additional terms to be contained in any deed by which a mortgage is effected in pursuance of this Chapter or vary the provisions of subsections (1)(a) and (b) and (2) above, but only in relation to deeds executed after the order comes into force.

7

In subsection (3) of section 20 of the 1980 Act (registration of title) for the words “subsection (2)” there shall be substituted the words “subsection (1)(b)” and for subsections (1) and (2) of that section there shall be substituted the following subsections—

(1) Where the landlord’s title to the dwelling-house is not registered— (a) section 123 of the Land Registration Act 1925 (compulsory registration of title) shall apply in relation to the conveyance of the freehold or the grant of a lease in pursuance of this Chapter whether or not the dwelling-house is in an area in which an Order in Council under section 120 of that Act is for the time being in force and, in the case of a lease, whether or not the lease is granted for a term of not less than 40 years; (b) the landlord shall give the tenant a certificate stating that the landlord is entitled to convey the freehold or make the grant subject only to such incumbrances, rights and interests as are stated in the conveyance or grant or summarised in the certificate; and (c) section 8 of that Act (application for registration of leasehold land) shall apply in relation to a lease granted in pursuance of this Chapter notwithstanding that it is a lease for a term of which not more than 21 years are unexpired. (1A) Where the landlord’s interest in the dwelling-house is a lease, a certificate under subsection (1)(b) above shall also state particulars of that lease and, with respect to each superior title, the following particulars, namely— (a) where it is registered, the title number; (b) where it is not registered, whether it was investigated in the usual way on the grant of the landlord’s lease. (2) Where the landlord’s title to the dwelling-house is registered, section 22 of the said Act of 1925 (registration of dispositions of leaseholds) shall apply in relation to a lease granted in pursuance of this Chapter notwithstanding that it is granted for a term not exceeding 21 years.

8

In section 24 of the 1980 Act (vesting orders)—

9

After paragraph 5 of Part I of Schedule 1 to the 1980 Act (circumstances in which right to buy does not arise) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—

(6) (1) The dwelling-house is held by the landlord on a tenancy from the Crown. (2) This paragraph does not apply if either— (a) the landlord is entitled to grant a lease in pursuance of this Chapter without the concurrence of the appropriate authority (disregarding for this purpose paragraph 19A of Schedule 2 to this Act); or (b) the appropriate authority notifies the landlord that as regards any Crown interest affected the authority will give its consent to the granting of such a lease. (3) For the purposes of this paragraph "tenancy from the Crown' means a tenancy of land in which there is a Crown interest superior to the tenancy and "Crown interest' and "appropriate authority' in relation to a Crown interest mean respectively— (a) an interest comprised in the Crown Estate, and the Crown Estate Commissioners or other government department having the management of the land in question; (b) an interest belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Chancellor of the Duchy; (c) an interest belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall, and such person as the Duke of Cornwall or the possessor for the time being of the Duchy appoints; (d) any other interest belonging to a government department or held on behalf of Her Majesty for the purposes of a government department, and that department.

10

(11) (1) A lease shall be for the appropriate term defined in sub-paragraph (2) below (but subject to sub-paragraph (3) below) and at a rent not exceeding £10 per annum, and the following provisions shall have effect with respect to the other terms of the lease. (2) If at the time the grant is made the landlord’s interest in the dwelling-house is not less than a lease for a term of which more than 125 years and five days are then unexpired the appropriate term is a term of not less than 125 years; in any other case it is a term expiring five days before the term of the landlord’s lease of the dwelling-house (or, as the case may require, five days before the first date on which the term of any lease under which the landlord holds any part of the dwelling-house is to expire). (3) If the dwelling-house is a flat contained in a building which also contains one or more other flats and the landlord has, since the passing of this Act, granted a lease of one or more of them for the appropriate term, the lease of the dwelling-house may be for a term expiring at the end of the term for which the other lease (or one of the other leases) was granted.

(1) This paragraph applies where the dwelling-house is a flat.

; and

(13A) (1) This paragraph applies where the landlord’s interest in the dwelling-house is leasehold. (2) There shall be implied, by virtue of this Schedule, a covenant by the landlord to pay the rent reserved by the landlord’s lease and, except in so far as they fall to be discharged by the tenant, to discharge its obligations under the covenants contained in that lease. (3) A covenant implied by virtue of paragraph 13(1A) above shall not impose on the landlord any obligations which the landlord is not entitled to discharge under the provisions of the landlord’s lease or a superior lease. (4) Where the landlord’s lease or a superior lease or any agreement collateral to the landlord’s lease or a superior lease contains a covenant by any person imposing obligations which, but for sub-paragraph (3) above, would be imposed by a covenant implied by virtue of paragraph 13(1A) above, there shall be implied by virtue of this Schedule, a covenant by the landlord to use its best endeavours to secure that that person’s obligations under the first mentioned covenant are discharged.

(a) where the dwelling-house is a house, to keep the dwelling-house in good repair (including decorative repair); (b) where the dwelling-house is a flat, to keep the interior of the dwelling-house in such repair.

(2) Where the dwelling-house is a flat, any provision of the lease or of any agreement collateral to it shall be void in so far as it purports— (a) to enable the landlord to recover from the tenant any part of any costs incurred by the landlord in discharging or insuring against any obligations imposed by a covenant implied by virtue of paragraph 13(1A)(a) or (b) above; or (b) to enable any person to recover from the tenant any part of any costs incurred, whether by him or by any other person, in discharging or insuring against any obligations to the like effect as obligations which, but for paragraph 13A(3) above, would be imposed by a covenant so implied; but subject to paragraph 16 below.

11

(19A) Any provision of a lease held by the landlord or a superior landlord, or of any agreement (whenever made) shall be void in so far as it would otherwise— (a) prohibit or restrict the grant of a lease in pursuance of the right to buy or the subsequent disposal (whether by way of assignment, sub-lease or otherwise) of a lease so granted; or (b) authorise any forfeiture or impose on the landlord or superior landlord any penalty of disability in the event of a lease being granted in pursuance of the right to buy or of a subsequent disposal of a lease so granted.

12

After sub-paragraph (2) of paragraph 1 of Schedule 3 to the 1980 Act (tenancies which are not secure tenancies) there shall be inserted the following sub-paragraph—

(2A) For the purposes of this paragraph a tenancy granted in pursuance of Chapter I of Part I of this Act is a long tenancy notwithstanding that it is granted for a term not exceeding 21 years.

SCHEDULE 2

SCHEDULE 3

Tenant’s initial share

1

Tenant’s initial contribution

2

$$C = S ( V - D ) 100$ where— C the tenant’s contribution; S the tenant’s initial share expressed as a percentage; V the amount agreed between the parties or determined by the district valuer as the amount which, under this paragraph, is to be taken as the value of the dwelling-house at the relevant time; D the discount which, if the tenant were exercising the right to buy, would be applicable under section 7 of the 1980 Act.$

and (in either case) disregarding any improvements made by any of the persons specified in subsection (5) of that section and any failure by any of those persons to keep the dwelling-house in good internal repair.

Additional shares

3

Additional contributions

4

$$C = S ( V - D ) 100$ where— C the additional contribution; S the additional share expressed as a percentage; V the amount agreed between the parties or determined by the district valuer as the amount which, under this paragraph, is to be taken as the value of the dwelling-house at the time when the notice under paragraph 3(1) above is served; D the discount which, on the assumptions stated in sub-paragraph (2) below, would be applicable under section 7 of the 1980 Act.$

Rent

5

$$R = F ( 100 - S ) 100$ where— R the rent payable; F the amount determined by the landlord as the rent which would be payable for that period if the shared ownership lease had not been granted and the secure tenancy had not come to an end, but excluding any element attributable to rates or to services provided by the landlord; S the tenant’s total share expressed as a percentage.$

shall be adjusted in such manner as may be provided by the order.

Repayment of discount on early disposal

6

but reduced, in each case, by 20 per cent. of the discount for each complete year that elapses after the acquisition and before the disposal.

$$E = S × D 100$ where— E the effective discount; S the tenant’s initial share or, as the case may be, the additional share expressed (in either case) as a percentage; D the discount which was applicable by virtue of paragraph 2(1) or, as the case may be, paragraph 4(1) above.$

whether the disposal is of the whole or part of the dwelling-house; and for the purposes of paragraph (b) above it shall be assumed that any option to renew or extend a lease or sub-lease, whether or not forming part of a series of options, is exercised, and that any option to terminate a lease or sub-lease is not exercised.

(9) For the purposes of this paragraph and paragraphs 7 to 9 below the grant of an option enabling a person to call for a relevant disposal which is not exempted by sub-paragraph (5) above shall be treated as such a disposal.

Payment for oustanding share on disposal

7

$$P = V ( 100 - S ) 100$ where— P the amount payable under the covenant; V the amount agreed between the parties or determined by the district valuer as the amount which, under this paragraph, is to be taken to be— except in the case of a compulsory disposal of part of the dwelling-house, the value at the time of the disposal of the dwelling-house; or in the said excepted case, the value at the time of the disposal of the part of the dwelling-house disposed of; S the tenant’s total share expressed as a percentage.$

shall be entitled to require the freehold thereof to be conveyed either to himself or to such other person as he may direct; and a right so conferred on any person shall be exercisable at any time during the term of the lease on that person serving written notice on the landlord.

No disposals of part while share outstanding

8

Supplemental

9
10

SCHEDULE 4

Service charge and relevant costs

1

Limitation of service charges

2

The extent to which relevant costs are taken into account in determining the amount of a service charge payable for any period shall be limited in accordance with paragraph 3 below, and the amount payable shall be limited accordingly; and where the service charge is payable before the relevant costs are incurred—

3

Costs are to be taken into account only to the extent that they are reasonably incurred, and costs incurred on the provision of services or the carrying out of works only if the services or works are of a reasonable standard.

Information as to relevant costs

4

Information held by superior landlord

5

Service of requests under paragraph 4

6

A request under paragraph 4 above shall be deemed to be served on the payee if it is served on a person who receives the service charge on behalf of the payee; and a person on whom a request is so served shall forward it as soon as possible to the payee.

Effect of disposal

7

A disposal of the dwelling-house by the payer shall not effect the validity of a request made under paragraph 4 above before the disposal, but a person shall not be obliged to provide a summary or make the facilities available more than once for the same dwelling-house and for the same period.

Determination of reasonableness

8

Any agreement made by the payer, other than an arbitration agreement within the meaning of section 32 of the Arbitration Act 1950, shall be void in so far as it purports to provide for a determination in a particular manner or on particular evidence of any question whether any amount payable before costs for services, repair, maintenance, insurance or management are incurred is reasonable, whether such costs were reasonably incurred or whether services or works for which costs were incurred or of a reasonable standard.

Offences

9

Exceptions

10

Definitions

11

or a person who is for the time being authorised by the Secretary of State under section 161(1)(b) of that Act as being a person with similar qualifications obtained outside the United Kingdom.

12

“Payee” means the person who is entitled to enforce payment of the service charge.

13

“Payer” means the person liable to pay the service charge.

SCHEDULE 5

Vesting of dwelling-house with leave of court

1

but subject to all estates, interests and rights which have priority to the mortgage.

Effect of vesting

2

Compensation and accounting

3

and any residue then remaining in the fund shall be paid to the person entitled to the mortgaged dwelling-house, or who would have been entitled to give receipts for the proceeds of sale of the dwelling-house if it had been sold in the exercise of the power of sale.

SCHEDULE 6

Section 104B

1

(4) A disposal is a relevant disposal for the purposes of this section if it is— (a) a conveyance of the freehold or an assignment of the lease; or (b) the grant of a lease or sub-lease for a term of more than twenty-one years otherwise than at a rack rent, whether the disposal is of the whole or part of the house; and for the purposes of paragraph (b) above it shall be assumed that any option to renew or extend a lease or sub-lease, whether or not forming part of a series of options, is exercised, and that any option to terminate a lease or sub-lease is not exercised. (4A) A relevant disposal is exempted by this subsection if— (a) it a disposal of the whole of the house and a conveyance of the freehold or an assignment of the lease and the person or each of the persons to whom it is made is a qualifying person; (b) it is a vesting of the whole of the house in a person taking under a will or on an intestacy; (c) it is a disposal of the whole of the house in pursuance of an order under section 24 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 or section 2 of the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975; (d) the property disposed of is acquired compulsorily or by a person who has made or would have made, or for whom another person has made or would have made a compulsory purchase order authorising its compulsory purchase for the purposes for which it is acquired; or (e) the property disposed of is land falling within paragraph (a) of the definition of "house' in section 189(1) of this Act. (4B) For the purposes of subsection (4A)(a) above a person is a qualifying person in relation to a disposal if he— (a) is the person or one of the persons by whom it is made; (b) is the spouse or a former spouse of that person or one of those persons; or (c) is a member of the family of that person or one of those persons (within the meaning of Chapter II of Part I of the Housing Act 1980) and has resided with him throughout the period of twelve months ending with the disposal. (4C) Where there is a relevant disposal which is exempted by subsection (4A)(d) or (e) above— (a) the covenant required by subsection (2) above shall not be binding on the person to whom the disposal is made or any successor in title of his; and (b) that covenant and the charge taking effect by virtue of subsection (5) below shall cease to apply in relation to the property disposed of.

(5A) The local authority may at any time by written notice served on a body falling within subsection (6) below postpone the charge taking effect by virtue of subsection (5) above to any legal charge securing any amount advanced or further advanced to the purchaser by that body.

(6) The bodies referred to in subsections (5)(b) and (5A) above are— (a) any building society; (b) any body falling within paragraphs 6 to 9 of the Schedule to the Home Purchase Assistance and Housing Corporation Guarantee Act 1978; and (c) any body specified or of a class or description specified in an order made under section 8(5) of the Housing Act 1980.

Section 104C

2

(7) where there is a relevant disposal which is exempted by section 104B(4A)(d) or (e) of this Act, the covenant mentioned in subsection (1) above shall cease to apply to the property disposed of. (7A) In this section "relevant disposal' has the same meaning as in section 104B of this Act.

SCHEDULE 7

SCHEDULE 8

Duration of notice

1

Public body’s plans certificates

2

the body may give to the local authority a certificate in the prescribed form (in the enactments relating to building regulations referred to as a “public body’s plans certificate”).

Public body’s final certificates

3

Effects of public body’s notice ceasing to be in force

4

then, with respect to the work specified in the certificate, such of the functions of a local authority referred to in section 40(1) of this Act as may be prescribed for the purposes of this sub-paragraph either shall not be exercisable or shall be exercisable only on prescribed circumstances.

Consultation

5

Building regulations may make provision for requiring, in such circumstances as may be prescribed, a public body which has given a public body’s notice to consult any prescribed person before taking any prescribed step in connection with any work specified in the notice.

SCHEDULE 9

SCHEDULE 10

Public Health Act 1936

Public Health Act 1961

SCHEDULE 11

Interpretation

1

In this Schedule expressions used in Part I of this Act have the same meanings as in that Part.

The Leasehold Reform Act 1967

2

and sub-paragraph (5) above also applies to a tenancy which is granted in substitution for a tenancy or sub-tenancy falling within paragraph (a) or (b) above in pursuance of Part I of the said Act of 1967.

3

In section 3(1) of the said Act of 1967 (meaning of “long tenancy”) in paragraph (b) of the proviso after the word “assignment” there shall be inserted the words “otherwise than by virtue of section 37A of the Housing Act 1980 (assignments by way of exchange)”.

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

4

Subsection (3) of section 69 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (appeals against certain decisions of the Secretary of State) shall be amended as follows—

(b) on a reference under section 64 of the 1936 Act or section 42 of the Housing and Building Control Act 1984;

;

  1. as regards a reference under the said section 64 or the said section 42, means the person on whose application the reference was made;

.

The Airports Authority Act 1975

5

In section 19(2) of the Airports Authority Act 1975 (application of enactments relating to statutory undertakers) for the words “shall apply in relation to the Authority as it applies” there shall be substituted the words “and section 71 of that Act (which exempts such buildings from building regulations) shall apply in relation to the Authority as they apply” and for the words “(which excludes” there shall be substituted the words “and the proviso to the said section 71 (which exclude”.

The Housing Act 1980

6

Subsections (4) and (4A) of section 3 of the Housing Act 1980 (meaning of “house”, “flat”, “dwelling-house” etc.) shall have effect as if any reference to the right to buy included a reference to the right to be granted a shared ownership lease.

7

Section 4(3) of that Act (joint tenants and members of family occupying dwelling-house otherwise than as joint tenants) shall have effect as if the reference to Chapter I of Part I of that Act included a reference to Part I of this Act.

8

(1A) A landlord’s notice under subsection (1) above shall inform the tenant of any application for a determination under paragraph 5 of Part I of Schedule 1 to this Act and, in the case of a notice admitting the tenant’s right, shall be without prejudice to any determination made on such an application.

9

At the end of section 6 of that Act (purchase price) there shall be added the following subsection—

(6) Where the secure tenant’s tenancy has at any time been assigned by virtue of section 37A of this Act, the persons specified in subsection (5) above shall not include any person who under that tenancy was a secure tenant before the assignment.

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10

(2A) Where the notice states provisions which would enable the landlord to recover from the tenant service charges within the meaning of Schedule 19 to this Act or section 18(1) of the 1984 Act, the notice shall also state— (a) the landlord’s estimate of the average annual amount (at current prices) which would be payable in respect of each head of charge; and (b) the aggregate of the estimated amounts stated under paragraph (a) above; but there shall be disregarded for the purposes of any such statement any estimated amount stated under paragraph 17 of Schedule 2 to this Act.

11

In section 11(6) of that Act (right of tenant to have value determined by district valuer) for the word “exercising” there shall be substituted the words “claiming to exercise”.

12

In section 12 of that Act (claim to a mortgage) after subsection (5) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

(5A) Where the amount which, in the opinion of the landlord or Housing Corporation, the tenant is entitled to leave outstanding, or have advanced to him, on the security of the dwelling-house is less than the aggregate mentioned in section 9(1) above, the notice shall also inform the tenant of the effect of Part I of the 1984 Act so far as relating to the right to be granted a shared ownership lease and shall be accompanied by a form for use by the tenant in claiming, in accordance with section 13(1) of that Act, that right.

13

(a) becomes the secure tenant under the same secure tenancy otherwise than on an assignment made by virtue of section 37A of this Act; or (b) becomes the secure tenant under a periodic tenancy arising by virtue of section 29 of this Act on the coming to an end of the secure tenancy;

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14
15
16

Section 20 of that Act (registration of title) shall have effect as if—

17

(21) (1) Any agreement between— (a) a tenant claiming to exercise the right to buy and the landlord; or (b) a tenant claiming to exercise the right to a mortgage and the landlord or, as the case may be, the Housing Corporation, shall be void in so far as it purports to oblige the tenant to bear any part of the costs incurred by the landlord or Housing Corporation in connection with the tenant’s exercise of that right. (2) Where a tenant exercises the right to a mortgage, the landlord or, as the case may be, the Housing Corporation may charge to him the costs incurred by it in connection with the tenant’s exercise of that right, but only on the execution of the deed by which the mortgage is effected and to the extent that those costs do not exceed such amount as the Secretary of State may by order specify.

18

(1A) Where the form of and the particulars to be contained in a notice under this Chapter are so prescribed a tenant who proposes to claim or has claimed to exercise the right to buy may request the landlord to supply him with a form for use in giving such a notice, and the landlord shall do so within seven days of the request.

19
20
21

The following provisions of that Act, namely—

shall have effect as if any reference to Chapter I of Part I of that Act included a reference to Part I of this Act and any reference to the right to buy included a reference to the right to be granted a shared ownership lease.

22

In section 27(3) of that Act (interpretation of Chapter I), for the words “Chapter II”, in the first place where they occur, there shall be substituted the words “Part I of the 1984 Act”, after the words “Chapter II”, in the second place where they occur, there shall be inserted the words “and that Part” and for paragraphs (a) and (b) there shall be substituted the following paragraphs—

(a) a predecessor of a local authority within the definition in section 50(1) shall be deemed to have been such an authority; (b) a predecessor of a county council shall be deemed to have been such a council; and (c) a housing association shall be deemed to have been registered under Part II of the 1974 Act if it is or was so registered at any later time

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23

In subsection (1) of section 31 of that Act (meaning of successor) for the words from “but a tenant” onwards there shall be substituted the words “but subject to subsection (1A) below” and after that subsection there shall be inserted the following subsection—

(1A) A tenant to whom the tenancy was assigned in pursuance of an order under section 24 of the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 is a successor only if the other party to the marriage was himself a successor; and a tenant to whom the tenancy was assigned by virtue of section 37A below is a successor only if he was a successor in relation to the tenancy which he himself assigned by virtue of that section.

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24

In section 50(1) of that Act (interpretation of Chapter II of Part I) immediately before the definition of “development corporation” there shall be inserted the following definition—

  • “cemetery” has the same meaning as in section 214 of the Local Government Act 1972;

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25

(aa) whether any consent required by section 37A was withheld otherwise than on one or more of the grounds set out in Schedule 4A to this Act;

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26

In section 110(1) of that Act (local authority mortgage interest rates) at the end of paragraph (c) there shall be inserted the words “or section 20 of the 1984 Act”.

27

In subsection (1) of section 127 of that Act (registration of housing associations) for the words from the beginning to “its objects” there shall be subsitituted the words “Section 13 of the 1974 Act (the register of housing associations) shall have effect as if the additional purposes or objects mentioned in subsection (3) of that section included” and the words from “without” onwards shall be omitted.

28

In section 137(1) of that Act (avoidance of certain unauthorised disposals) after the words “section 128(2) of the Local Government Act 1972” there shall be inserted the words, “section 29 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1959”.

29

At the end of section 150 of that Act (interpretation) there shall be inserted the following definition—

  • “the 1984 Act” means the Housing and Building Control Act 1984

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30

In section 151(1) of that Act (regulations and orders) after the word “section”, in the second place where it occurs, there shall be inserted the word “8(5)”.

31

Part II of Schedule 1A to that Act (qualification and discount) shall have effect as if “previous discount” included a discount which was given, before the relevant time, in pursuance of the provision required by paragraph 3 of Schedule 3 to this Act or any other provision to the like effect.

32

Part IV of Schedule 2 to that Act (charges and other matters) shall have effect as if any reference to the right to buy included a reference to the right to be granted a shared ownership lease and to such rights as are mentioned in paragraphs 3(5) and 7(5) of Schedule 3 to this Act.

33

of that Schedule for paragraphs (a) to (e) there shall be substituted the words “a body specified in paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 1 to this Act”.

34

In Part I of Schedule 4 to that Act, in ground 6, for the words “or his predecessor in title”, in the first place where they occur, there shall be substituted the words “(or a predecessor in title of his)” and for the words “he (or his predecessor in title)”, in both places where they occur, there shall be subsitiuted the words “the tenant or predecessor”.

The Civil Aviation Act 1982

35

In paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 2 to the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (application of enactments relating to statutory undertakers etc.) for the words “shall apply in relation to the CAA as it applies” there shall be substituted the words “and section 71 of that Act (which exempts such buildings from building regulations) shall apply in relation to the CAA as they apply” and for the words “(which excludes” there shall be substituted the words “and the proviso to the said section 71 (which exclude”.

SCHEDULE 12

PART I — Repeals Relating to Building Control

PART II — Further Repeals