(1)The Secretary of State may give directions to social landlords about the making of service charges in respect of works of repair, maintenance or improvement—
(a)requiring or permitting the waiver or reduction of charges where relevant assistance is given by the Secretary of State, and
(b)permitting the waiver or reduction of charges in such other circumstances as may be specified in the directions.
(2)A direction shall not require the waiver or reduction of charges by reference to assistance for which application was made before the date on which the direction was given, but subject to that directions may relate to past charges or works to such extent as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.
(3)Directions which require or permit the waiver or reduction of charges have corresponding effect—
(a)in relation to charges already demanded so as to require or permit the non-enforcement of the charges, and
(b)in relation to charges already paid so as to require or permit a refund.
(4)For the purposes of this section “social landlord” means—
(a)an authority or body within section 80(1) of the [1985 c. 68.] Housing Act 1985 (the landlord condition for secure tenancies), other than a housing co-operative, or
(b)a registered social landlord.
(5)In this section “assistance” means grant or other financial assistance of any kind; and directions may specify what assistance is relevant for the purposes of this section, and to what buildings or other land any assistance is to be regarded as relevant.
(6)The provisions of section 220 supplement this section.