Housing Act 1985

234 Meaning of “full standard” and “reduced standard”.

(1) For the purposes of this Part a dwelling shall be taken to attain the full standard if the following conditions are met—

(a) it is provided with all the standard amenities for the exclusive use of its occupants;

(b) it is in reasonable repair (disregarding the state of internal decorative repair) having regard to its age and character and the locality in which it is situated;

(c) it conforms with such requirements with respect to thermal insulation as may be specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section;

(d) it is in all other respects fit for human habitation;

(e) it is likely to be available for use as a dwelling for a period of 15 years or such other period as may be specified by the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section.

(2) The local housing authority may (subject to subsection (3)) dispense wholly or in part with any of the conditions in subsection (1), and a dwelling shall be taken to attain the reduced standard if those conditions are met so far as not dispensed with.

(3) The authority shall not dispense with the condition specified in subsection (1)(a) (standard amenities) where they are satisfied that the dwelling is, or forms part of, a house or building in respect of which they could by notice under section 352 (houses in multiple occupation: power to require execution of works to render premises fit for number of occupants) require the execution of such works as are referred to in that section.