Housing Act 1985

PART XVI E+W ASSISTANCE FOR OWNERS OF DEFECTIVE HOUSING

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Pt. XVI (Ss. 527–577) amended by Local Government Act 1985 (c. 51, SIF 81:1), s. 57(7), Sch. 13 paras. 22 and 23 as substituted by Housing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 (c. 71, SIF 61), s. 4, Sch. 2 para. 61

C2 Pt. XVI (Ss. 527–577) modified by S.I. 1986/797, regs. 2, 3–18

C3 Pt. XVI (Ss. 527–577): power to apply certain functions conferred by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 65(2)(a)(4)

Pt. XVI (ss. 527-577) extended (5.7.1994) by 1994 c. 19, ss. 39, 66(2)(b), Sch. 13 para. 21(e) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5))

Pt. XVI (ss. 527-577) modified (1.4.1995) by S.I. 1995/401, art. 18, Sch. para. 8(d)

Eligibility for assistance E+W

527 Eligibility for assistance. E+W

A person is eligible for assistance under this Part in respect of a dwelling if—

(a) he is an individual who is not a trustee, a trustee for beneficiaries who are all individuals or a personal representative,

(b) the dwelling is a defective dwelling within the meaning of this Part by virtue of a designation under section 528 (designation by Secretary of State) or section 559 (designation under local scheme),

(c) he holds a relevant interest in the dwelling, as defined in section 530, and

(d) the conditions specified in section 531 (conditions of eligibility: disposal by public sector authority, &c.) are satisfied;

but subject to section 533 (exceptions to eligibility).

528 Designation of defective dwellings by Secretary of State. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may designate as a class buildings each of which consists of or includes one or more dwellings if it appears to him that—

(a) buildings in the proposed class are defective by reason of their design or construction, and

(b) by virtue of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (a) having become generally known, the value of some or all of the dwellings concerned has been substantially reduced.

(2) A dwelling which is, or is included in, a building in a class so designated is referred to in this Part as a “defective dwelling”; and in this Part, in relation to such a dwelling—

(a) “the qualifying defect” means what, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, is wrong with the buildings in that class, and

(b) “the cut-off date” means the date by which, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1)(a) became generally known.

(3) A designation shall describe the qualifying defect and specify—

(a) the cut-off date,

(b) the date (being a date falling on or after the cut-off date) on which the designation is to come into operation, and

(c) the period within which persons may seek assistance under this Part in respect of the defective dwellings concerned.

(4) A designation may make different provision in relation to England and Wales; subject to that, a designated class shall not be described by reference to the area in which the buildings concerned are situated.

(5) Notice of a designation shall be published in the London Gazette.

(6) Any question arising as to whether a building is or was at any time in a class designated under this section shall be determined by the Secretary of State.

529 Variation or revocation of designation. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may—

(a) vary a designation under section 528, but not so as to vary the cut-off date, or

(b) revoke such a designation.

(2) The Secretary of State may by a variation of the designation extend the period referred to in section 528(3)(c) (period within which assistance must be applied for) whether or not it has expired.

(3) The variation or revocation of a designation does not affect the operation of the provisions of this Part in relation to a dwelling if, before the variation or revocation comes into operation, the dwelling is a defective dwelling by virtue of the designation in question and an application for assistance under this Part has been made.

(4) Notice of the variation or revocation of a designation shall be published in the London Gazette.

530 Meaning of “relevant interest”. E+W

(1) In this Part “relevant interest”, in relation to a dwelling, means the freehold or a long tenancy, not being in either case subject to a long tenancy.

(2) A tenancy is a long tenancy for this purpose, subject to subsection (3), if it is—

(a) a tenancy granted for a term certain exceeding 21 years, whether or not it is (or may become) terminable before the end of that term by notice given by or to the tenant or by re-entry, forfeiture or otherwise,

(b) a tenancy granted in pursuance of Part V (the right to buy), or

(c) a tenancy for a term fixed by law under a grant with a covenant or obligation for perpetual renewal, unless it is a tenancy by sub-demise from one which is not a long tenancy.

(3) A tenancy is not a long tenancy for this purpose if it is—

(a) an interest created by way of security and liable to termination by the exercise of a right of redemption or otherwise, or

(b) a secure tenancy.

(4) References in this part to an interest in a dwelling are to an interest in land which is or includes the dwelling.

531 Conditions of eligibility: disposal by public sector authority, &c. E+W

(1) The conditions referred to in section 527(d) (eligibility for assistance) are that there has been a disposal by a public sector authority of a relevant interest in the dwelling and that either of the following sets of conditions is satisfied.

(2) The first set of conditions is that—

(a) the disposal by a public sector authority was made before the cut-off date, and

(b) there has been no disposal for value by any person of a relevant interest in the dwelling on or after that date.

(3) The second set of conditions is that—

(a) a person to whom section 527 applies acquired a relevant interest in the dwelling on a disposal for value occurring within the period of twelve months beginning with the cut-off date,

(b) he was unaware on the date of the disposal of the association of the dwelling with the qualifying defect,

(c) the value by reference to which the price for the disposal was calculated did not take any, or any adequate, account of the qualifying defect, and

(d) if the cut-off date had fallen immediately after the date of the disposal, the first set of conditions would have been satisfied.

(4) For the purposes of this section where a public sector authority hold an interest in a dwelling a disposal of the interest by or under an enactment shall be treated as a disposal by the authority.

532 Construction of references to disposal, &c. E+W

(1) References in this Part to a disposal include a part disposal; but for the purposes of this Part a disposal of an interest in a dwelling is a disposal of a relevent interest in the dwelling only if on the disposal the person to whom it is made acquires a relevant interest in the dwelling.

(2) Where an interest in land is disposed of under a contract, the time at which the disposal is made is, for the purposes of this Part—

(a) if the contract is unconditional, the time at which the contract is made, and

(b) if the contract is conditional (and in particular if it is conditional on the exercise of an option), the time when the condition is satisfied;

and not, if different, the time at which the interest is conveyed.

(3) Reference in this Part to a disposal of an interest for value are to a disposal for money or money’s worth, whether or not representing full value for the interest disposed of.

(4) In relation to a person holding an interest in a dwelling formed by the conversion of another dwelling, references in this Part to a previous diposal of an interest in the dwelling include a previous disposal on which an interest in land which included that part of the original dwelling in which his interest subsists was acquired.

533 Exceptions to eligibility. E+W

(1) A person who holds a relevant interest in a defective dwelling is not eligible for assistance in respect of the dwelling at any time when that interest is subject to the rights of a person who is a protected occupier or statutory tenant within the meaning of the M1 Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976 [F1 or who occupies the dwelling under an assured agricultural occupancy which is not an assured tenancy].

(2) A person is not eligible for assistance in respect of a defective dwelling if the local housing authority are of the opinion—

(a) that work to the building which consists of or includes the dwelling has been carried out in order to deal with the qualifying defect, and

(b) that on the completion of the work, no further work relating to the dwelling was required to be done to the building in order to deal satisfactorily with the qualifying defect.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 59

Marginal Citations

M1 1976 c. 80.

Determination of entitlement E+W

534 Application for assistance. E+W

A person seeking assistance under this Part in respect of a defective dwelling shall make a written application to the local housing authority within a period specified in the relevant designation.

535 Application not to be entertained where grant application pending or approved. E+W

(1) The local housing authority shall not entertain an application for assistance under this Part if—

(a) an application has been made in respect of the defective dwelling (whether before or after the relevant designation came into operation) for an improvement grant, intermediate grant, special grant [F2 or repairs grant][F2 repairs grant or common parts grant] under Part XV, and

(b) the relevant works in relation to that grant include the whole or part of the work required to reinstate the dwelling,

unless the grant application has been refused or has been withdrawn under subsection (2) or the relevant works have been completed.

(2) Where a person has applied for such a grant in respect of a dwelling and—

(a) the dwelling is a defective dwelling, and

(b) the relevant works include the whole or part of the work required to reinstate it,

he may withdraw his application, whether or not it has been approved, if the relevant works have not been begun.

(3) In this section “relevant works”, in relation to a grant, has the same meaning as in Part XV.

Textual Amendments

F2 Words “repairs grant or common parts grant” substituted (prosp.) for words “or repairs grant” by Housing and Planning Act 1986 (c. 63, SIF 61), s. 15, Sch. 3 Pt. II para. 19

536 Determination of eligibility. E+W

(1) A local housing authority receiving an application for assistance under this Part shall as soon as reasonably practicable give notice in writing to the applicant stating whether in their opinion he is eligible for assistance in respect of the defective dwelling.

(2) If they are of opinion that he is not so eligible, the notice shall state the reasons for their view.

(3) If they are of opinion that he is so eligible, the notice shall inform him of his right to make such a claim as is mentioned in section 537(2) (claim that assistance by way of reinstatement grant is appropriate in his case).

537 Determination of form of assistance to which applicant is entitled. E+W

(1) A local housing authority receiving an application for assistance under this Part shall, if the applicant is eligible for assistance, determine [F3 as soon as reasonably practicable] whether he is entitled to assistance by way of reinstatement grant or by way of repurchase.

(2) If the authority are satisfied, on a claim by the applicant to that effect, that it would be unreasonable to expect him to secure or await the carrying out of the work required to reinstate the defective dwelling, the applicant is entitled to assistance by way of repurchase.

(3) Subject to subsection (2), the applicant is entitled to assistance by way of reinstatement grant if the authority are satisfied that the conditions for such assistance set out in section 538 are met, and otherwise to assistance by way of repurchase.

Textual Amendments

F3 Words inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(2)

538 Conditions for assistance by way of reinstatement grant. E+W

(1) The conditions for assistance by way of reinstatement grant are, subject to any order under subsection (2)—

(a) that the dwelling is a house (as defined in section 575);

(b) that if the work required to reinstate the dwelling (together with any other work which the local housing authority are satisfied the applicant proposes to carry out) were carried out—

(i) the dwelling would be likely to provide satisfactory housing accommodation for a period of at least 30 years, and

(ii) an individual acquiring the freehold of the dwelling with vacant possession would be likely to be able to arrange a mortgage on satisfactory terms with a lending institution;

(c) that giving assistance by way of reinstatement grant is justified having regard, on the one hand, to the amount of reinstatement grant that would be payable in respect of the dwelling and, on the other hand, to the likely value of the freehold of the dwelling with vacant possession after the work required to reinstate it has been carried out; and

(d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F4

(2) The Secretary of State may by order amend the conditions set out in subsection (1) so as to modify or omit any of the conditions or to add or substitute for any of the conditions other conditions.

(3) An order—

(a) may make different provision for different classes of case,

(b) shall be made by statutory instrument, and

(c) shall not be made unless a draft of it has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(4) An order does not affect an application for assistance made before the order comes into force.

Textual Amendments

F4 S. 538(1)(d) repealed by S.I. 1988/884, art. 2

539 Meaning of “work required for reinstatment” and “associated arrangement”. E+W

(1) For the purposes of this Part the work required to reinstate a defective dwelling is the work relating to the dwelling that is required to be done to the building that consists of or includes the dwelling in order to deal satisfactorily with the qualifying defect, together with any further work—

(a) required to be done, in order to deal satisfactorily with the qualifying defect, to any garage or outhouse designed or constructed as that building is designed or constructed, being a garage or outhouse in which the interest of the person eligible for assistance subsists and which is occupied with and used for the purposes of the dwelling or any part of it, or

(b) reasonably required in connection with other work falling within this subsection.

[F5 (1A) In any case where—

(a) the most satisfactory way of dealing with the qualifying defect is substantially to demolish the building that consists of or includes the defective dwelling or a part of that building, and

(b) it is practicable to rebuild the building or part concerned on, or substantially on, its existing foundations and reconstruct the dwelling to the same, or substantially the same, plan,

the work required to carry out those operations shall be regarded for the purposes of this Part as work required to reinstate the defective dwelling.]

(2) In this Part “associated arrangement” means an arrangement which is entered into in connection with the execution of the work required to reinstate a defective dwelling and is likely to contribute towards the dwelling being regarded as an acceptable security by a lending institution.

Textual Amendments

F5 S. 539(1A) inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(3)

540 Notice of determination. E+W

(1) Where an applicant is eligible for assistance, the authority to whom the application was made shall as soon as reasonably practicable give him notice in writing (a “notice of determination”) stating the form of assistance to which he is entitled.

(2) If, on such a claim by the applicant as is mentioned in section 537(2) (claim that assistance by way of reinstatement grant is inappropriate in his case), the authority are not satisfied that it would be unreasonable to expect him to secure or await the carrying out of the work required to reinstate the defective dwelling, the notice shall state the reasons for their view.

(3) A notice stating that the applicant is entitled to assistance by way of reinstatement grant shall also state—

(a) the grounds for the authority’s determination;

(b) the work which, in their opinion, is required to reinstate the defective dwelling;

(c) the amount of expenditure which, in their opinion, may properly be incurred in executing the work;

(d) the amount of expenditure which, in their opinion, may properly be incurred in entering into an associated arrangement;

(e) the condition required by section 542 (execution of work to satisfaction of authority within specifed period), including the period within which the work is to be carried out; and

(f) their estimate of the amount of grant payable in respect of the dwelling in pursuance of this Part.

(4) A notice stating that the applicant is entitled to assistance by way of repurchase shall also state the grounds for the authority’s determination and the effect of—

(a) paragraphs 1 to 3 of Schedule 20 (request for notice of proposed terms of repurchase), and

(b) sections 554, 556 and 557(1) (provisions for grant of tenancy to former owner-occupier of repurchased dwelling).

(5) References in the following provisions of this Part to a person entitled to assistance by way of reinstatement grant or, as the case may be, by way of repurchase are to a person who is eligible for assistance in respect of the dwelling and on whom a notice of determination has been served stating that he is entitled to that form of assistance.

Assistance by way of reinstatement grant E+W

541 Reinstatement grant. E+W

(1) Where a person is entitled to assistance by way of reinstatement grant, the local housing authority shall pay reinstatement grant to him in respect of—

(a) the qualifying work, and

(b) any associated arrangement,

subject to and in accordance with the following provisions of this Part.

(2) The “qualifying work” means the work stated in the notice of determination, or in a notice under section 544 (notice of change of work required), to be the work which in the opinion of the local housing authority is required to reinstate the dwelling.

542 Conditions of payment of reinstatement grant. E+W

(1) It is a condition of payment of reinstatement grant that the qualifying work is carried out—

(a) to the satisfaction of the local housing authority, and

(b) within the period specified in the notice of determination. or that period as extended.

(2) The period so specified shall be such reasonable period (of at least twelve months), beginning with service of the notice, as the authority may determine.

(3) The authority shall, if there are reasonable grounds for doing so, by notice in writing served on the person entitled to assistance, extend or further extend the period for carrying out the qualifying work (whether or not the period has expired).

(4) Payment of reinstatement grant shall not be subject to any other condition, however expressed.

543 Amount of reinstatement grant. E+W

(1) The amount of reinstatement grant payable is the appropriate percentage of whichever is the least of—

(a) the amount stated in the notice of determination, or in a notice under section 544 (notice of change in work required or expenditure permitted), to be the amount of expenditure which, in the opinion of the local housing authority, may properly be incurred in executing the qualifying work and entering into any associated arrangement,

(b) the expenditure actually incurred in executing the qualifying work and entering into any associated arrangement, and

(c) the expenditure which is the maximum amount permitted to be taken into account for the purposes of this section.

(2) The appropriate percentage is 90 per cent, or, in a case where the authority are satisfied that the person entitled to assistance would suffer financial hardship unless a higher percentage of the expenditure referred to in subsection (1) were paid to him, 100 per cent.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order vary either or both of the percentages mentioned in subsection (2).

(4) The maximum amount of expenditure permitted to be taken into account for the purposes of this section is the amount specified as the expenditure limit by order made by the Secretary of State, except in a case or description of case in which the Secretary of State, on the application of a local housing authority, approves a higher amount.

(5) An order under subsection (4) may make different provision for different areas, different designated classes and different categories of dwelling.

(6) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the House of Commons.

544 Changes in work or expenditure. E+W

Where the local housing authority are satisfied that—

(a) the work required to reinstate the defective dwelling is more extensive than that stated in the notice of determination or in a previous notice under this section, or

(b) the amount of the expenditure which may properly be incurred in executing that work is greater than that so stated, or

(c) there is an amount of expenditure which may properly be incurred in entering into an associated arrangement but no such amount is stated in the notice of determination or a previous notice under this section, or

(d) where such an amount is so stated, the amount of expenditure which may be properly so incurred is greater than that amount,

they shall by notice in writing served on the person entitled to assistance state their opinion as to that amount or, as the case may be, that work and that amount; and the amount of reinstatement grant shall be adjusted accordingly.

545 Payment of reinstatement grant. E+W

(1) The local housing authority may pay reinstatement grant in respect of the qualifying work in a single sum on completion of the work or by instalments.

(2) No instalments shall be paid if the instalment, together with any amount previously paid, would exceed the appropriate percentage of the cost of so much of the qualifying work as has been executed at that time.

(3) The authority shall pay reinstatement grant in respect of an associated arrangement when payment in respect of the expenditure incurred in entering into the arrangement falls to be made.

546 Repayment of grant for breach of condition. E+W

(1) Where an amount of reinstatement grant has been paid in one or more instalments and the qualifying work is not completed within the period for carrying out the work, the local housing authority may, if they think fit, require the person who was entitled to assistance to repay that amount to them forthwith.

(2) The amount required to be repaid (or, if it was paid in more than one instalment, the amount of each instalment) shall carry interest, at such reasonable rate as the authority may determine, from the date on which it was paid until repayment.

Assistance by way of repurchase E+W

547 Repurchase. E+W

The provisions of Schedule 20 have effect with respect to assistance by way of repurchase, as follows—

• Part I—The agreement to repurchase.

• Part II—Price payable and valuation.

• Part III—Supplementary provisions.

548 Repurchase by authority other than local housing authority. E+W

(1) Where the local housing authority give a notice of determination to a person stating that he is entitled to assistance by way of repurchase and they are of opinion that—

(a) a relevant interest in the dwelling was disposed of by a public sector authority mentioned in column 1 of the following Table (or a predecessor mentioned there of such an authority),

(b) there has been no disposal within paragraph (a) since the time of that disposal, and

(c) any conditions mentioned in column 2 of the Table in relation to the authority are met,

they shall forthwith give that other authority a notice in writing, together with a copy of the notice of determination, stating that the authority may acquire in accordance with this Part, the interest of the person entitled to assistance.

Table

Public sector authority	Conditions
1. A registered housing association (other than a co-operative housing association) or a predecessor housing association of that association.	None
2. A development corporation.	No interests have at any time been transferred from the corporation in pursuance of a scheme made or having effect as if made under section 42 of the M2 New Towns Act 1981 (transfer o housing to district council).
3. The Development Board for Rural Wales.	None
Another local housing authority or a predecessor of that authority.	The local housing authority provide housing accommodation in the vicinity of the defective dwelling with which the dwelling may conveniently be managed.
5. Any other public sector authority prescibed by order of the Secretary of State, or a predecessor so prescribed.	Any conditions prescribed in the order.

(2) The other authority may, within the period of four weks beginning with the service of the notice on them, give notice in writing to the local housing authority—

(a) stating that they wish to acquire the interest, and

(b) specifying the address of the principal office of the authority and any other address which may also be used as an address for service;

and the local housing authority shall forthwith give to the person entitled to assistance a transfer notice, that is, a notice in writing of the contents of the notice received by them and the effect of subsection (3).

(3) After a transfer notice has been given to the person entitled to assistance, the other authority shall be treated as the appropriate authority for the purposes of anything done or falling to be done under this Part, except that—

(a) a request under paragraph 2 of Schedule 20 (request for notice of proposed terms of acquisition) may be made either to the local housing authority or to the other authority, and

(b) any such request given to the local housing authority (whether before or after the notice) shall be forwarded by them to the other authority;

and references in this Part to “the purchasing authority” shall be construed accordingly.

(4) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument.

Marginal Citations

M2 1981 c. 64.

549 Interest subject to right of pre-emption &c. E+W

(1) This section applies where a person (“the owner”) is entitled to assistance by way of repurchase in respect of a defective dwelling and there is a covenant relating to his interest in the dwelling whereby—

(a) before disposing of the interest he must offer to dispose of it to a public sector authority, or

(b) in the case of a leasehold interest, he may require a public sector authority who are his landlord to accept a surrender of the lease but is otherwise prohibited from disposing of it,

(2) If the public sector authority are the local housing authority, the covenant shall be disregarded for the purposes of Schedule 20 (repurchase).

(3) If the public sector authority are not the local housing authority, the provisions of this Part as to repurchase do not apply so long as there is such a covenant; but if—

(a) the owner disposes of his interest to the public sector authority in pursuance of the covenant or lease, and

(b) the interest acquired by that authority on the disposal subsists only in the land affected, that is to say, the defective dwelling and any garage, outhouse, garden, yard and appurtenances occupied with and used for the purposes of the dwelling or part of it,

the owner is entitled to be paid by the local housing authority the amount (if any) by which 95 per cent. of the defect-free value exceeds the considaeration for the disposal.

(4) For the purposes of this section—

(a) the “consideration for the disposal” means the amount before any reduction required by section 158(3) (reduction corresponding to amount of discount repayable or amount payable for outstanding share under shared ownership lease) or any provision to the like effect, and

(b) the “defect-free value” means the amount that would have been the consideration for the disposal if none of the defective dwellings to which the designation in question related had been affected by the qualifying defect.

550 Compulsory purchase compensation to be made up to 95 per cent of defect-free value. E+W

(1) Where a person (“the owner”) has disposed of an interest in a defective dwelling, otherwise than in pursuance of Schedule 20 (repurchase), to an authority possessing compulsory purchase powers and—

(a) immediately before the time of the disposal he was eligible for assistance under this Part in respect of the dwelling,

(b) the amount paid as consideration for the disposal did not include any amount attributable to his right to apply for such assistance, and

(c) on the disposal the authority acquired an interest in any of the affected land, that is to say, the defective dwelling and any garage, outhouse, garden, yard and appurtenances occupied with and used for the purposes of the dwelling or part of it,

he is entitled, subject to the following provisions of this section, to be paid by the local housing authority the amount (if any) by which 95 per cent. of the defect-free value exceeds the amount of the compensation for the disposal.

(2) For the purposes of this section—

(a) the “amount of compensation for the disposal” means the amount that would have been the proper amount of compensation for the disposal (having regard to any relevant determination of the Lands Tribunal) or, if greater, the amount paid as the consideration for the disposal, and

(b) the “defect-free value” means the amount that would have been the proper amount of compensation for the disposal if none of the defective dwellings to which the designation in question related had been affected by the qualifying defect;

but excluding, in either case any amount payable for disturbance or for any other matter not directly based on the value of land.

(3) For the purposes of this section, it shall be assumed that the disposal occurred on a compulsory acquisition (in cases where it did not in fact do so).

(4) Where the compensation for the disposal fell to be assessed by reference to the value of the land as a site cleared of buildings and available for development, it shall be assumed for the purposes of determining the defect-free value that it did not fall to be so assessed.

(5) The amount payable by the local housing authority under this section shall be reduced by the amount of any payment made in respect of the defective dwelling under Schedule 23 (payments for well-maintained houses).

(6) In this section “authority possessing compulsory purchase powers” has the same meaning as a in the M3 Land Compensation Act 1961.

Marginal Citations

M3 1961 c. 33

551 Supplementary provisions as to payments under s. 549 or 550. E+W

(1) The local housing authority are not required to make a payment to a person under—

(a) section 549 (making-up of consideration on disposal in pursuance of right of pre-emption, &c.), or

(b) section 550 (making-up of compulsory purchase compensation),

unless he makes a written application to them for payment before the end of the period of two years beginning with the time of the disposal.

(2) Where the authority—

(a) refuse an application for payment under section 549 on any grounds, or

(b) refuse an application for payment under section 550 on the grounds that the owner was not eligible for assistance in respect of the defective dwelling,

they shall give the applicant written notice of the reasons for their decision.

(3) Any question arising—

(a) under section 549 or 550 as to the defect-free value, or

(b) under section 550 as to the amount of compensation for the disposal,

shall be determined by the district valuer if the owner or the local housing authority so require by notice in writing served on the district valuer.

(4) A person serving a notice on the district valuer in pursuance of subsection (3) shall serve notice in writing of that fact on the other party.

(5) Before making a determination in pursuance of subsection (3), the district valuer shall consider any representation by the owner or the authority made to him within four weeks from the service of the notice under that subsection.

552 Reimbursement of expenses incidental to repurchase. E+W

(1) A person whose interest in a defective dwelling is acquired by the purchasing authority in pursuance of Schedule 20 (repurchase) is entitled to be reimbursed by the purchasing authority the proper amount of—

(a) expenses in respect of legal services provided in connection with the authority’s acquisition, and

(b) other expenses in connection with negotiating the terms of that acquisition,

being in each case expenses which are reasonably incurred by him after receipt of a notice under paragraph 3 of that Schedule (authority’s notice of proposed terms of acquisition).

(2) An agreement between a person and the purchasing authority is void in so far as it purports to oblige him to bear any part of the costs or expenses incurred by the authority in connection with the exercise by him of his rights under this Part.

Effect of repurchase on occupier E+W

553 Effect of repurchase on certain existing tenancies. E+W

(1) Where an authority mentioned in section 80 (authorities satisfying the landlord condition for secure tenancy) acquire an interest in a defective dwelling in pursuance of Schedule 20 (repurchase) and—

(a) the land in which the interest subsists is or includes a dwelling-house occupied as a separate dwelling, and

(b) the interest of the person entitled to assistance by way of repurchase is, immediately before the completion of the authority’s acquisition, subject to a tenancy of the dwelling-house,

the tenancy shall not, on or after the acquisition, become a secure tenancy unless the conditions specified in subsection (2) are met.

(2) The conditions are—

(a) that the tenancy was a protected tenancy [F6 or an assured tenancy] throughout the period beginning with the making of an application for assistance under this Part in respect of the defective dwelling and ending immediately before the authority’s acquisition; and

(b) no notice was given in respect of the tenancy in accordance with any of Cases 11 to 18 and 20 in Schedule 15 to the M4 Rent Act 1977 (notice that possession might be recovered under that Case) or under section 52(1)(b) of the M5 Housing Act 1980 (notice that tenancy is to be a protected shorthold tenancy) [F7 or in accordance with any of Grounds 1, 3, 4 and 5 in Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 1988 (notice that possession might be recovered under that ground) or under section 20(1)(c) of that Act (notice served in respect of assured shorthold tenancies); and].

[F8 (c) the tenancy is not an assured periodic tenancy which, by virtue of section 39(7) of the Housing Act 1988 (successors under the Rent Act 1977), is an assured shorthold tenancy]

Textual Amendments

F6 Words inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 60(a)

F7 Words added by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 60(b)

F8 S. 553(2)(c) added by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 60(c)

Marginal Citations

M4 1977 c. 42.

M5 1980 c. 51.

554 Grant of tenancy to former owner-occupier. E+W

(1) Where an authority acquire an interest in a defective dwelling in pursuance of Schedule 20 (repurchase), or in the circumstances described in section 549(3) (exercise of right of pre-emption &c.), and—

(a) the land in which the interest subsists is or includes a dwelling-house occupied as a separate dwelling, and

(b) an individual is an occupier of the dwelling-house throughout the period beginning with the making of an application for assistance under this Part in respect of the dwelling and ending immediately before the completion of the authority’s acquisition, and

(c) he is a person entitled to assistance by way of repurchase in respect of the defective dwelling, or the persons so entitled are in relation to the interest concerned his trustees,

the authority shall, in accordance with this section, either grant or arrange for him to be granted a tenancy (of that dwelling-house or another: see section 556) on the completion of their acquisition of the interest concerned.

(2) If the authority are among those mentioned in section 80(1) (public sector authorities capable of granting secure tenancies) their obligation is to grant a secure tenancy.

[F9 (2A) If the authority is a registered housing association, other than a housing co-operative, within the meaning of section 27B, their obligation is to grant a secure tenancy if the individual to whom a tenancy is to be granted—

(a) is a person who, immediately before he acquired his interest in the dwelling-house, was a secure tenant of it; or

(b) is the spouse or former spouse or widow or widower of a person falling within paragraph (a); or

(c) is a member of the family, within the meaning of section 186, of a person falling within paragraph (a) who has died, and was residing with that person in the dwelling-house at the time of and for the period of twelve months before his death.]

(3) In any other case their obligation is to grant or arrange for the grant of either—

(a) a secure tenancy, or

(b) a protected tenancy other than one under which the landlord might recover possession under one of the cases in Part II of Schedule 15 to the M6 Rent Act 1977 (cases in which the court must order possession) [F10 or

(c) an assured tenancy which is neither an assured shorthold tenancy, within the meaning of Part I of the Housing Act 1988, nor a tenancy under which the landlord might recover possession on any of Grounds 1 to 5 in Schedule 2 to that Act.]

(4) Where two or more persons qualify for the grant of a tenancy under this section in respect of the same dwelling-house, the authority shall grant the tenancy, or arrange for it to be granted, to such one or more of them as they may agree among themselves or (if there is no such agreement) to all of them.

Textual Amendments

F9 S. 554(2A) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 61(1)

F10 S. 554(3)(c) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 61(2)

Marginal Citations

M6 1977 c. 42.

555 Grant of tenancy to former statutory tenant. E+W

(1) Where an authority mentioned in section 80(1) (public sector authorities capable of granting secure tenancies) acquire an interest in a defective dwelling in pursuance of Schedule 20 (repurchase) and—

(a) the land in which the interest subsists is or includes a dwelling-house occupied as a separate dwelling, and

(b) an individual is an occupier of a dwelling-house throughout the period beginning with the making of an application for assistance under this Part in respect of the dwelling and ending immediately before the completion of the authority’s acquisition, and

(c) he is a statutory tenant of the dwelling-house at the end of that period, and

(d) no notice was given in respect of the original tenancy in accordance with any of Cases 11 to 18 and 20 in Schedule 15 to the Rent Act 1977 (notice that possession might be recovered under that Case) or under section 52(1)(b) of the M7 Housing Act 1980 (notice that tenancy is to be a protected shorthold tenancy), and

(e) the interest of the person entitled to assistance would, if the statutory tenancy were a contractual tenancy, be subject to the tenancy at the end of the period mentioned in paragraph (b),

the authority shall grant him a secure tenancy (of that dwelling-house or another: see section 556) on the completion of their acquisition of the interest concerned.

(2) Where two or more persons qualify for the grant of a tenancy under this section in respect of the same dwelling-house, the authority shall grant the tenancy to such one or more of them as they may agree among themselves or (if there is no such agreement) to all of them.

(3) If at any time after the service of a notice of determination it appears to the purchasing authority that a person may be entitled to request them to grant him a secure tenancy under this section, they shall forthwith give him notice in writing of that fact.

Marginal Citations

M7 1980 c. 51.

556 Alternative accommodation under s. 554 or 555, E+W

(1) The dwelling-house to be let under the tenancy granted to a person—

(a) under section 554 or 555 (grant of tenancy to former owner-occupier or statutory tenant of defective dwelling-house acquired by authority), or

(b) under arrangements made for the purposes of section 554,

shall be the dwelling-house of which he is the occupier immediately before the completion of the authority’s acquisition (the “current dwelling-house”), except in the following Cases.

Case 1

By reason of the condition of any building of which the current dwelling-house consists or of which it forms part, the dwelling-house may not safely be occupied for residential purposes.

Case 2

The authority intend, within a reasonable time of the completion of their acquisition of the interest concerned—

(a)

to demolish or reconstruct the building which consists of or includes the defective dwelling in question, or

(b)

to carry out work on any building or land in which the interest concerned subsists,

and cannot reasonably do so if the current dwelling-house remains in residential occupation.

(2) In those Cases the dwelling-house to be let shall be another dwelling-house which, so far as is reasonably practicable in the case of that authority, affords accommodation which is—

(a) similar as regards extent and character to the accommodation afforded by the current dwelling-house,

(b) reasonably suitable to the means of the prospective tenant and his family, and

(c) reasonably suitable to the needs of the prospective tenant and his family as regards proximity to place of work and place of education.

557 Request for tenancy under s. 554 or 555. E+W

(1) An authority are not required to grant, or arrange for the grant of, a tenancy to a person under section 554 or 555 unless he requests them to do so in writing before—

(a) in the case of an acquisition under Schedule 20 (repurchase,), the service on the person entitled to assistance of a copy of the agreement drawn up under paragraph 5 of that Schedule, or

(b) in the case of an acquisition in the circumstances described in section 549(3) (acquisition in pursuance of right of pre-emption, &c.), the time of the disposal.

(2) An authority receiving a request under subsection (1) shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, give notice in writing to the person making the request stating whether in their opinion either of the Cases in section 556(1) applies (cases in which tenancy may be of a dwelling-house other than the current dwelling-house).

(3) If their opinion is that either Case does apply, the notice shall also state which of the Cases is applicable and the effect of section 556.

558 Interpretation of ss. 553 to 557. E+W

(1) In sections 553 to 557 (effect of repurchase on occupier)—

(a) “dwelling-house” has the same meaning as in Part IV (secure tenancies);

(b) “occupier”, in relation to a dwelling-house, means a person who occupies the dwelling-house as his only or principal home or (in the case of a statutory tenant) as his residence;

(c) references to the grant of a secure tenancy are to the grant of a tenancy which would be a secure tenancy assuming that the tenant under the tenancy occupies the dwelling-house as his only or principal home

Local schemes E+W

559 Designation of defective dwellings under local schemes. E+W

(1) A local housing authority may by resolution designate as a class buildings in their district each of which consists of or includes one or more dwellings if it appears to them that—

(a) buildings in the proposed class are defective by reason of their design or construction, and

(b) by virtue of the circumstances mentioned in paragraph (a) having become generally known, the value of some or all of the dwellings concerned has been substantially reduced.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a building in a class designated under section 528 (designation by Secretary of State); but a building does not cease to be included in a class designated under this section by virtue of its inclusion in a class designated under that section.

(3) A dwelling which is, or is included in, a building in a class so designated is referred to in this Part as a “defective dwelling”; and in this Part, in relation to such a dwelling—

(a) “The qualifying defect” means what, in the opinion of the authority, is wrong with the buildings in that class, and

(b) “the cut-off date” means the date by which, in the opinion of the authority, the circumstances mentioned in subsection (1)(a) became generally known.

(4) A designation shall describe the qualifying defect and specify—

(a) the cut-off date,

(b) the date (being a date falling on or after the cut-off date) on which the designation is to come into operation, and

(c) the period within which persons may seek assistance under this Part in respect of the defective dwellings concerned.

(5) A designation may not describe a designated class by reference to the area (other than the authority’s district) in which the buildings concerned are situated; but a designated class may be so described that within the authority’s district there is only one building in the class.

(6) Any question arising as to whether a building is or was at any time in a class designated under this section shall be determined by the local housing authority concerned.

560 Variation or revocation of designation under local scheme. E+W

(1) The local housing authority may by resolution—

(a) vary a designation under section 559, but not so as to vary the cut-off date, or

(b) revoke such a designation.

(2) The authority may by a variation of the designation extend the period referred to in section 559(4)(c) (period within which assistance must be applied for) whether or not it has expired.

(3) The variation of revocation of a designation does not affect the operation of the provisions of this Part in relation to a dwelling if, before the variation or revocation comes into operation, the dwelling is a defective dwelling by virtue of the designation in question and application for assistance under this Part has been made.

561 Secretary of State’s control over designation, variation or revocation. E+W

(1) Where a local housing authority have passed a resolution under—

(a) section 559 (designation under local scheme) or,

(b) section 560 (variation or revocation of designation under local scheme),

they shall give written notice to the Secretary of State of the resolution before the expiry of the period of 28 days beginning with the date on which it is passed.

(2) The designation, variation or revocation shall not come into operation before [F11 the cut-off date or if it is later] the expiry of the period of two months [F12 or such longer period as the Secretary of State may direct for the purposes of this subsection under subsection (2A) below] beginning with the receipt by the Secretary of State of the notice under subsection (1).

[F13 (2A) If, within the period for the time being specified in or (by virtue of the previous operation of this subsection) for the purposes of subsection (2) above, the Secretary of State is satisfied that he does not have reasonably sufficient information to enable him to come to a decision with respect to the resolution concerned, he may direct for the purposes of that subsection that it shall have effect as if for the period so specified there were substituted such longer period as is specified in the direction.]

(3) If [F14 before the cut-off date or, if it is later, the expiry of the period for the time being specified in or for the purposes of subsection (2) above] the Secretary of State serves notice in writing to that effect on the authority, the designation, revocation or variation shall not come into operation.

Textual Amendments

F11 Words inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(4)(a)

F12 Words inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(4)

F13 S. 561(2A) inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(4)(b)(5)

F14 Words substituted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(4)(c)

Miscellaneous E+W

562 Duty of local housing authority to publicise availability of assistance. E+W

(1) A local housing authority shall, within the period of three months beginning with the coming into operation of—

(a) a designation under section 528 (designation of defective dwellings by Secretary of State) or section 559 (designation of defective dwellings under local scheme), or,

(b) a variation of such a designation,

publish in a newspaper circulating in their district notice suitable for the purpose of bringing the effect of the designation or variation to the attention of persons who may be eligible for assistance in respect of such of the dwellings concerned as are situated within their district.

(2) No such notice need be published by a local housing authority who are of opinion—

(a) that none of the dwellings concerned are situated in their district, or

(b) that no-one is likely to be eligible for assistance in respect of the dwellings concerned which are situated in their district.

(3) If at any time it becomes apparent to a local housing authority that a person is likely to be eligible for assistance in respect of a defective dwelling within their district, they shall forthwith take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform him of the fact that assistance is available.

563 Duties of public sector authority disposing of defective dwelling. E+W

(1) A public sector authority shall, where a person is to acquire a relevant interest in a defective dwelling on a disposal by the authority, give him notice in writing before the time of the disposal—

(a) specifying the qualifying defect, and

(b) stating that he will not be eligible for assistance under this part in respect of the dwelling.

(2) A public sector authority shall, before they convey a relevant interest in a defective dwelling in pursuance of a contract to a person on whom a notice under subsection (1) has not been served, give him notice in writing—

(a) specifying the qualifying defect,

(b) stating, where the time of disposal of the interest falls after the cut-off date, that he will not be eligible for assistance under this Part, and

(c) stating the effect of subsection (3)

(3) A person on whom a notice under subsection (2) is served—

(a) is not obliged to complete the conveyance before the expiry of the period of six months beginning with the service of that notice on him, and

(b) may within that period withdraw from the transaction by notice in writing to the authority to that effect;

and upon such a notice of withdrawal being given to the authority the parties to the contract are discharged from any obligations in connection with it and any deposit paid shall be repaid.

(4) Where a public sector authority are required to serve a notice under section 124 (landlord’s response to notice claiming to exercise right to buy) in respect of a defective dwelling, the notice under subsection (1) shall be served with that notice.

(5) A notice under subsection (1) or (2) shall, (except in the case of a notice under subsection (1) which is served in accordance with subsection (4)), be served at the earliest date at which it is reasonably practicable to do so.

564 Reinstatement of defective dwelling by local housing authority. E+W

(1) Where a relevant interest in a defective dwelling has been disposed of by a public sector authority, the local housing authority may, before the end of the period within which a person may seek assistance under this Part in respect of the dwelling, enter into an agreement with—

(a) any person holding an interest in the dwelling, or

(b) any person who is a statutory tenant of it,

to execute at his expense any of the work required to reinstate the dwelling.

(2) For the purposes of this section a disposal by or under an enactment of an interest in a dwelling held by a public sector authority shall be treated as a disposal of the interest by the authority.

565 Death of person eligible for assistance, &c. E+W

(1) Where a person who is eligible for assistance in respect of a defective dwelling—

(a) dies, or

(b) disposes of his interest in the dwelling (otherwise than on a disposal for value) to such a person as is mentioned in section 527(a) (persons qualifying for assistance: individuals, trustees for individuals and personal representatives),

this Part applies as if anything done (or treated by virtue of this subsection as done) by or in relation to the person so eligible had been done by or in relation to his personal representatives or, as the case may be, the person acquiring his interest.

(2) In sections 549 to 551 (subsidiary forms of financial assistance) references to the owner of an interest in a defective dwelling include his personal representatives.

566 Dwellings included in more than one designation. E+W

The provisions of Schedule 21 have effect with respect to dwellings included in more than one designation.

567 Modifications of this Part in relation to shared ownership leases. E+W

[F15 (1) If it appears to a local housing authority that the interest of a person eligible for assistance in respect of a defective dwelling in their area is—

(a) a shared ownership lease, or

(b) the freehold acquired under the terms of a shared ownership lease,

the authority shall prepare and submit to the Secretary of State a scheme providing for the provisions of this Part to have effect, in their application to such a case, subject to such modifications as may be specified in the scheme.

(2) A scheme under subsection (1) above shall not have effect unless approved by the Secretary of State; and any such approval may be made conditional upon compliance with requirements specified by him.]

(4) In this section “shared ownership lease” means—

(a) a shared ownership lease granted in pursuance of Part V (the right to buy),

(b) a lease of a dwelling-house granted otherwise than in pursuance of that Part which contains provision to the like effect as that required by paragraphs 1 and 2 of Schedule 8 (terms of shared ownership lease: right to acquired additional shares and to acquire freehold),

(c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F16 or

(d) a lease determined, or of a class [F17 or description] determined, by the Secretary of State to be a shared ownership lease.

(5) The fact that a lease becomes a shared ownership lease by virtue of . . . F18 a determination under subsection (4)(d) does not affect the operation of the provisions of this Part in relation to a case where an application for assistance under this Part has previously been made.

(6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F19

Textual Amendments

F15 S. 567(1)(2) substituted for s.567(1)–(3) by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(6)

F16 Words repealed by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 194(4), Sch. 12 Pt. II

F17 Words inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(7)

F18 Words repealed by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 194(4), Sch. 12 Pt. II

F19 S. 567(6) repealed by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 194(4), Sch. 12 Pt. II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 S. 567(4) amended by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 166(7)

568 Extension of assistance to mortgagees. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision for conferring rights and obligations on a mortgagee of a defective dwelling where—

(a) a power of sale (whether conferred by section 101 of the M8 Law of Property Act 1925 or otherwise) is exercisable by the mortgagee, and

(b) the mortgagor is eligible for assistance in respect of the defective dwelling.

(2) The rights that may be so conferred are—

(a) rights corresponding to those conferred by this Part on a person holding a relevant interest in the defective dwelling,

(b) the right to require the purchasing authority to acquire in accordance with the regulations any interest in the defective dwelling to be disposed of in exercise of the power of sale, and

(c) where the mortgagee is the purchasing authority, the right by deed to vest the dwelling in themselves;

and those rights may be conferred in place of rights conferred by this Part on any other person.

(3) The regulations may provide that where the conditions in subsection (1)(a) and (b) are or have been satisfied, this Part, the power of sale in question and any enactment relating to the power of sale shall have effect subject to such modifications as may be specified in the regulations.

(4) Where a defective dwelling is vested in a mortgagee in pursuance of—

(a) regulations under this section, or

(b) section 452 and Schedule 17 (vesting of dwelling-house in authority entitled to exercise power of sale),

the regulations may provide for the payment in respect of the vesting of an amount calculated on the assumption that none of the defective dwellings to which the designation in question relates is affected by the qualifying defect; and those enactments shall have effect subject to any such provisions.

(5) Regulations under this section—

(a) may make different provision for different cases and may make incidental and consequential provision; and

(b) shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6) In this section “mortgagee” and “mortgagor” have the same meaning as in the M9 Law of Property Act 1925.

Marginal Citations

M8 1925 c. 20.

M9 1925 c. 20.

Contributions by Secretary of State E+W

569 Contributions by Secretary of State. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit in any case, contribute towards the expense incurred by a local housing authority—

(a) in giving assistance by way of reinstatement grant,

(b) in giving assistance by way of repurchase of a dwelling which is a defective dwelling by virtue of a designation under section 528 (designation by Secretary of State), or

(c) in making payments under section 549 (making up of consideration on disposal in pursuance of right of pre-emption, &c.) or section 550 (making up of compulsory purchase compensation).

(2) The contributions shall be [F20 equal to the relevant percentage of the amount of the expense incurred]

(3) The relevant percentage is—

(a) 90 per cent. in the case of reinstatement grant.

(b) 75 per cent. in the case of repurchase or a payment under section 549 or 550 where there has at any time been a disposal of a relevant interest in the defective dwelling by the local housing authority or a predecessor of that authority, and

(c) 100 per cent. in the case of repurchase or a payment under those sections not within paragraph (b);

or such other percentage as, in any of those cases, may be provided by order under section 570.

(4) The amount of expense incurred is—

(a) in the case of reinstatement grant, the amount of the grant,

(b) in the case of repurchase, the price paid for the acquisition, together with any amount reimbursed under section 552 (incidental expenses), less the value of the interest at the relevant time determined in accordance with paragraph 8 of Schedule 20 (value for purposes of repurchase) but without the assumption required by paragraph 8(1)(a) (assumption that dwelling is defect free),

(c) in the case of a payment under section 549 or 550, the amount of the payment.

(5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F21

(6) Payment of contributions under this section is subject to the making of a claim in such form, and containing such particulars, as the Secretary of State may determine; and the contributions are payable at such times, in such manner and subject to such conditions, as to records, certificates, audit or otherwise, as the Secretary of State may, with the agreement of the Treasury, determine.

Textual Amendments

F20 Words substituted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), s. 157(8)(10)

F21 S. 569(5) repealed by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 61), ss. 157(8)(ii)(10), 194(4), Sch. 12 Pt. II

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C5 S. 569 modified by S.I. 1986/797, reg. 23

C6 S. 569(3)(4) applied (retrospectively to 1.1.1993) by 1993 c. 28, ss. 139(4)(5)(7), 188(2).

570 Power to vary relevant percentage. E+W

(1) The Secretary of State may by order made with the consent of the Treasury vary all or any of the percentages specified in section 569(3) (relevant percentages for purposes of contribution to expenditure of local housing authority) in respect of assistance or payments, or a class of assistance or payments, specified in the order.

(2) An order—

(a) may make different provision for assistance given or payments made in respect of defective dwellings in different areas or under different provisions or for different purposes of the same provision;

(b) shall be made by statutory instrument; and

(c) shall not be made unless a draft of it has been laid before and approved by a resolution of the House of Commons.

(3) An order applies to assistance given or payments made in pursuance of applications made after such date as may be specified in the order, and the specified date shall not be earlier than the date of the laying of the draft.

Supplementary provisions E+W

571 Service of notices. E+W

(1) A notice or other document under this Part may be given to or served on a person, and an application or written request under this Part may be made to a person—

(a) by delivering it to him or leaving it at his proper address, or

(b) by sending it to him by post,

and also, where the person concerned is a body corporate, by giving or making it to or serving it on the secretary of that body.

(2) For the purposes of this section, and of section 7 of the M10 Interpretation Act 1978 as it applies for the purposes of this section, the proper address of a person is—

(a) in the case of a body corporate or its secretary, the address of the principal office of the body,

(b) in any other case, his last known address,

and also, where an additional address for service has been specified by that person in a notice under section 548(2) (notice of intention to assume responsibility for repurchase), that address.

Marginal Citations

M10 1978 c. 30.

572 Jurisdiction of county court. E+W

(1) The county court has jurisdiction—

(a) to determine any question arising under this Part notwithstanding that a declaration is the only relief sought, and

(b) to entertain any proceedings brought in connection with the performance or discharge of obligations arising under this Part, including proceedings for the recovery of damages in the event of the obligations not being performed.

(2) Subsection (1) has effect subject to—

• sections 528(6) and 559(6) (questions of designation to be decided by designating authority), and

• section 551(3) and paragraph 9 of Schedule 20 (questions of valuation to be determined by district valuer).

(3) Where an authority fail to extend or further extend a period when required to do so by—

(a) section 542(3) (reinstatement grant: period within which work is to be completed), or

(b) paragraph 2(2) or 6(2) of Schedule 20 (repurchase: period for service of request or notice by person entitled to assistance),

the county court may by order extend or futher extend that period until such date as may be specified in the order.

(4) The Lord Chancellor may make such rules and give such directions as he thinks fit for the purpose of giving effect to this section.

(5) The rules and directions may provide for the exercise by a registrar of the county court of any jurisdiction exercisable under this section.

(6) Rules under this section shall be made by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

573 Meaning of “public sector authority”. E+W

(1) In this Part “public sector authority” means—

• a local authority (or a predecessor of a local authority),

• a joint board of which every constituent member is, or is appointed by, a local authority (or a predecessor of a local authority),

• the Peak Park Joint Planning Board,

• the Lake District Special Planning Board,

• [F22 the National Rivers Authority]

• the [F23 Corporation],

• a registered housing association other than a co-operative housing association (or a predecessor housing association of such an association),

• a new town corporation,

• the Development Board for Rural Wales,

• the [F24 British Coal Corporation], or

• the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority,

or a body corporate or housing association specified by order of the Secretary of State in accordance with the following provisions.

(2) The Secretary of State may provide that a body corporate shall be treated as a public sector authority if he is satisfied—

(a) that the affairs of the body are managed by its members, and

(b) that its members hold office by virtue of appointment (to that or another office) by a Minister of the Crown under an enactment,

or if he is satisfied that it is a subsidiary of such a body.

(3) The Secretary of State may provide that a housing association shall be treated as a public sector authority if he is satisfied that the objects or powers of the association include the provision of housing accommodation for individuals employed at any time by a public sector authority or dependants of such individuals.

(4) Where the Secretary of State is satisfied that a body or association met the requirements of subsection (2) or (3) during any period, he may, whether or not he makes an order in respect of the body or association under that subsection, provide that is shall be treated as having been a public sector authority during that period.

(5) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that a body or association specified in an order under subsection (2) or (3) has ceased to meet the requirements of that subsection on any date, he may by order provide that it shall be treated as having ceased to be a public sector authority on that date.

(6) An order under this section shall be made by statutory instrument.

Textual Amendments

F22 Words substituted by Water Act 1989 (c. 15, SIF 130), ss. 58(7), 101(1), 141(6), 160(1)(2)(4), 163, 189(4)–(10), 190(1), 193(1), Sch. 25 para. 74(1), Sch. 26 paras. 3(1)(2), 17, 40(4), 57(6), 58

F23 Word substituted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. II para. 106

F24 Words substituted by Coal Industry Act 1987 (c. 3, SIF 86), s. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 47

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C7 S. 573(1) explained by Housing (Consequential Provisions) Act 1985 (c. 71, SIF 61), s. 5(1), Sch. 3 para. 5(3)

574 Disposal of certain Crown interests in land treated as disposal by public sector authority. E+W

References in this Part to a disposal of an interest in a dwelling by a public sector authority include a disposal of—

(a) an interest belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Crown,

(b) an interest belonging to, or held in trust for Her Majesty for the purposes of, a government department or Minister of the Crown, or

(c) an interest belonging to Her Majesty in right of the Duchy of Lancaster or belonging to the Duchy of Cornwall.

575 Meaning of “dwelling” and “house”. E+W

(1) In this Part “dwelling” means any house, flat or other unit designed or adapted for living in.

(2) For the purposes of this Part a building so designed or adapted is a “house” if it is a structure reasonably so called; so that where a building is divided into units so designed or adapted—

(a) if it is so divided horizontally, or a material part of a unit lies above or below another unit, the units are not houses (though the building as a whole may be), and

(b) if it is so divided vertically, the units may be houses.

(3) Where a house which is divided into flsts or other units is a defective dwelling in respect of which a person is eligible for assistance, the fact that it is so divided shall be disregarded for the purposes of section 538(1)(a) (first condition for assistance by way of reinstatement: that the dwelling is a house).

576 Meaning of “lending institution”. E+W

In this Part “lending institution” means—

• a building society,

• a bank,

• a trustee savings bank, or

• an insurance company.

577 Index of defined expressions: Part XVI. E+W

The following Table shows provisions defining or otherwise explaining expressions used in this Part (other than provisions defining or explaining an expressions used in the same section or paragraph:—

the agreement (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 20
appropriate percentage (in relation to reinstatement grant)	section 543(2)
associated arrangement	section 539(2)
[F25 assured agricultural occupancy]	[F25 section 622]
[F25 assured tenancy]	[F25 section 622]
the authority (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 20
bank	section 622
building society	section 622
charge (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 11(2)(a) of Schedule 20
the conveyance (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 20
co-operative housing association	section 5(2)
[F26 the Corporation]	[F26 section 6A]
cut-off date	sections 528(2)(b) and 559(3)(b)
defective dwelling	sections 528(2) and 559(3)
development corporation	section 4(c)
disposal	section 532(1)
disposal for value	section 532(3)
district (of a local housing authority)	section 2(1)
district valuer	section 622
dwelling	section 575(1)
dwelling-house (in sections 553 to 557)	section 558(a)
eligible for assistance	sections 527 and 533
house	section 575(2)
housing association	section 5(1)
insurance company	section 622
the interest acquired (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 20
interest in a dwelling	section 530(4)
interest to be acquired (in relation to repurchase)	paragraph 1 of Schedule 20
lending institution	section 576
local authority	section 4(e)
local housing authority	section 1, 2(2)
new town corporation	section 4(b)
notice of determination	section 540(1)
occupier (in sections 553 to 557	section 558(b)
person entitled to assistance (by way of reinstatement grant or repurchase)	section 540(5)
previous disposal	section 532(4)
protected tenancy	section 622
public sector authority	section 573 (and see section 574)
the purchase price (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 20
purchasing authority	section 548(3)
qualifying defect	sections 528(2)(a) and 559(3)(a)
qualifying work	section 541(2)
registered (in relation to a housing association)	section 5(4)
reinstatement grant	section 541(1)
relevant charge (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 20
relevant interest	section 530(1)
the relevant time (in relation to valuation for repurchase)	paragraph 7(2) of Schedule 20
repurchase	section 547
secure tenancy	section 79 (and see section 558(c))
statutory tenancy and statutory tenant	section 622
subsidiary	section 622
time of disposal	section 532(2)
trustee savings bank	section 622
the vendor (in Part III of Schedule 20)	paragraph 11(1) of Schedule 20
work required to reinstate a defective dwelling	section 539(1)

Textual Amendments

F25 Entries inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 62

F26 Entry inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 140(1), Sch. 17 Pt. I para. 113