The Social Housing Rents (Exceptions and Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2017

Amendments to regulations 2, 3 and 4 (domestic violence refuge accommodation etc.)

4.—(1) In regulation 2 after the definition for “co-operative housing association” and “fully mutual housing association” insert—

““domestic violence refuge accommodation” means accommodation in a hostel which is used wholly or mainly for the non-permanent accommodation of persons who have been victims of domestic violence and have left their homes as a result of that violence—

(a)

which is usually staffed 24 hours a day by persons whose normal duties include providing support to the residents of the hostel, and

(b)

to which access by non-residents is controlled,

and for the purpose of this definition—

(i)

“hostel” has the meaning given in section 622 of the Housing Act 1985(1),

(ii)

“domestic violence” means any incident, or pattern of incidents, of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (whether psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) inflicted on or threatened against a person over the age of 16 by an associated person,

(iii)

“coercive behaviour” means an act of assault, humiliation or intimidation or other abuse that is used to harm, punish or frighten the victim,

(iv)

“controlling behaviour” means an act designed to make a person subordinate or dependent by isolating them from sources of support, exploiting their resources and capacities for personal gain, depriving them of the means needed for independence, resistance or escape or regulating their everyday behaviour,

(v)

“associated” has the same meaning as in Part 4 of the Family Law Act 1996 (see section 62 of that Act);”.

(2) In regulation 3—

(a) after sub-paragraph (1)(l) insert—

“(m) domestic violence refuge accommodation;

(n) almshouse accommodation;

(o) accommodation provided by a co-operative housing association or a fully mutual housing association;

(p) accommodation provided by a community land trust.”; and

(b) for paragraph (2), substitute—

“(2) Supported housing which is not specialised supported housing or domestic violence refuge accommodation is prescribed under section 24(5) of the Act as a case where section 23 of the Act does not apply during the first relevant year.”.

(3) In regulation 4—

(a) in paragraph (c) at the end insert “or domestic violence refuge accommodation”; and

(b) after paragraph (l) insert—

“(m) domestic violence refuge accommodation.”.

(1)

1985 c. 68. There have been amendments to section 622 which are not relevant.