This Order makes further provision with respect to housing in Northern Ireland.

Part I is introductory. Part II re-states with amendments the law relating to housing associations and Part III provides for the payment of grants towards the cost of improvement and repair of housing accommodation, the carrying out of works of maintenance, repair and improvement and the replacement of dwellings. Part IV is concerned with houses in multiple occupation.

Part V makes miscellaneous amendments to the Housing (Northern Ireland) Orders of 1981, 1983 and 1986. Article 90 introduces Schedule 5 which amends and restates the provisions of the Order of 1981 relating to clearance areas and clearance, demolition and closing orders. Article 94 provides for the winding up of the home purchase assistance scheme constituted under Part IX of the Order of 1981. Article 96 substitutes for the “right to buy” provisions of the Order of 1983 a house sales scheme to be administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

Part VI amends the Rent (Northern Ireland) Order 1978. Article 98 relates regulated tenancy standards to the standard of fitness for human habitation under Article 46 of the Order of 1981. Article 100 provides for the reduction of the rent of a dwelling-house let under a regulated tenancy where the landlord has failed to comply with a certificate of disrepair.

Part VII contains miscellaneous and supplementary provisions. Under Article 103 the Executive is empowered to provide professional, technical and administrative services to owners or occupiers of certain dwellings. Article 105 repeals the Small Dwellings Acquisition Acts 1899 to 1948.