Housing Associations Act 1985

Constitution and other general matters

74 The Housing Corporation

(1) This Part has effect with respect to the Housing Corporation, which is referred to in this Part as " the Corporation ".

(2) The provisions of Schedule 6 have effect with respect to the constitution and proceedings of, and other matters relating to, the Corporation.

75 General functions of the Corporation

(1) The Corporation has the following general functions—

(a) to promote and assist the development of registered housing associations and unregistered self-build societies;

(b) to facilitate the proper performance of the functions, and to publicise the aims and principles, of registered housing associations and unregistered self-build societies;

(c) to maintain a register of housing associations and to exercise supervision and control over registered housing associations;

(d) to act as the Secretary of State's agent, to such extent as he may require, with respect to the consideration of applications for, and the payment of grants to, registered housing associations ;

(e) to undertake, to such extent as the Corporation considers necessary, the provision (by construction, acquisition, conversion, improvement or otherwise) of dwellings for letting or for sale and of hostels, and the management of dwellings or hostels so provided.

(2) The Corporation shall exercise its general functions subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this Act.

(3) Subsection (1) is without prejudice to specific functions conferred on the Corporation by or under this Act.

(4) The Corporation may do such things and enter into such transactions as are incidental to or conducive to the exercise of any of its functions, general or specific, under this Act.

76 Directions by the Secretary of State

(1) The Secretary of State may give directions to the Corporation as to the exercise of its functions.

(2) A direction as to the terms of loans made under section 79 (lending powers of Corporation) requires the consent of the Treasury.

(3) Directions may be of a general or particular character and may be varied or revoked by subsequent directions.

(4) Non-compliance with a direction does not invalidate a transaction between a person and the Corporation unless the person had actual notice of the direction.

77 Advisory service

(1) The Corporation may provide an advisory service for the purpose of giving advice on legal, architectural and other technical matters to housing associations (whether registered or unregistered) and to persons who are forming a housing association or are interested in the possibility of doing so.

(2) The Corporation may make charges for the service.

78 Annual report

(1) The Corporation shall, as soon as possible after the end of each financial year, make a report to the Secretary of State on the exercise of its functions during the year.

(2) It shall include in the report a copy of its audited accounts and shall set out in the report any directions given to it by the Secretary of State during the year.

(3) The Secretary of State shall lay a copy of the report before each House of Parliament.