197Direction by Secretary of StateE+W
(1)The Secretary of State may direct the regulator—
(a)to set a standard under section 193 [F1or 194],
(b)about the content of standards under section 193 [F2or 194], or
(c)to have regard to specified objectives when setting standards under section 193 or 194.
(2)The Secretary of State may give a direction under subsection (1)(a) or (b) only if it relates, in the Secretary of State's opinion, to—
(a)quality of accommodation,
[F3(aa)tenure,]
(b)rent, F4...
(c)involvement by tenants in the management by registered providers of accommodation [F5, or
(d)methods of assisting tenants to exchange tenancies.]
(3)In deciding whether to give a direction the Secretary of State shall, in particular, have regard to the regulator's fundamental objectives.
(4)Before giving a direction the Secretary of State must consult—
[F6(za)the HCA,]
(a)the regulator,
[F7(aa)the Greater London Authority,]
F8(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F9(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(d)one or more bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of local housing authorities,
[F10(da)any body for the time being nominated under section 278A,]
(e)one or more[F11other ] bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of tenants of social housing, and
(f)one or more bodies appearing to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of registered providers.
(5)Before giving a direction about a standard which would apply to charities the Secretary of State must consult the Charity Commission.
(6)A direction may disapply the requirement to consult under section 196 in relation to specified matters.
(7)The regulator shall comply with any direction.
(8)The Secretary of State shall publish—
(a)each proposed direction that is the subject of a consultation,
(b)each response to a consultation, and
(c)each direction.
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 197(1)(a) inserted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 17 para. 7; S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(i) (with arts. 9 11 14 15 17)
F2Words in s. 197(1)(b) inserted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 17 para. 7; S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(i) (with arts. 9 11 14 15 17)
F3S. 197(2)(aa) inserted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 152, 240(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(n) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)
F4Word in s. 197(2)(b) repealed (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 25 Pt. 25; S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(ee)(iv)
F5S. 197(2)(d) and word inserted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 176(2), 240(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(s) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11)
F6S. 197(4)(za) inserted (1.10.2018) by The Legislative Reform (Regulator of Social Housing) (England) Order 2018 (S.I. 2018/1040), art. 1(2), Sch. para. 26 (with Pt. 4)
F7S. 197(4)(aa) inserted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 19 para. 56; S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(i) (with arts. 9 11 14 15 17)
F8S. 197(4)(b) repealed (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 16 para. 43, Sch. 25 Pt. 26; S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(i)(j) (with arts. 9 11 14 15 17)
F9S. 197(4)(c) omitted (1.4.2015) by Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (c. 2), s. 49(1), Sch. 12 para. 93; S.I. 2015/841, art. 3(x)
F10S. 197(4)(da) inserted (12.11.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 26(5)(a), 148(1)(c)
F11Word in s. 197(4)(e) inserted (12.11.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 26(5)(b), 148(1)(c)
Commencement Information
I1S. 197 in force at 8.9.2008 by S.I. 2008/2358, art. 3(1) (with art. 3(3)(4))