Housing Act 1985

Powers of authorities in London

15 Additional powers of authorities in London.

(1) A London borough council may provide and maintain in connection with housing accommodation provided by them under this Part buildings or parts of buildings adapted for use for any commercial purpose.

(2) A local housing authority in Greater London may make arrangements for the rehousing of any person by another such authority; and the arrangements may include provision for the payment of contributions by the former authority to the latter.

(3) The council of an Inner London borough and the Common Council of the City of London may, for the purpose of facilitating the erection of houses in their district, suspend, alter or relax the provisions of any enactment or byelaw relating to the formation or laying out of new streets or the construction of sewers or of buildings intended for human habitation.

(4) The powers conferred by subsections (1) and (3) are exercisable only with the consent of the Secretary of State.

16 Exercise of powers outside Greater London.

(1) A local housing authority in Greater London shall not exercise any powers under this Part outside Greater London unless it appears to the Secretary of State, on an application by the authority, expedient that the needs of the authority’s district with respect to the provision of housing accommodation should be satisfied by the provision of such accommodation outside Greater London, and he consents to the exercise of the power.

(2) The power conferred by section 15(1) (provision of commercial buildings) shall not be exercised outside Greater London except with the consent of the council of the district concerned.