Family Law Act 1996

54 Dwelling-house subject to mortgage. E+W

(1) In determining for the purposes of this Part whether a person is entitled to occupy a dwelling-house by virtue of an estate or interest, any right to possession of the dwelling-house conferred on a mortgagee of the dwelling-house under or by virtue of his mortgage is to be disregarded.

(2) Subsection (1) applies whether or not the mortgagee is in possession.

(3) Where a person ( “A”) is entitled to occupy a dwelling-house by virtue of an estate or interest, a connected person does not by virtue of—

(a) any [F1 home rights] conferred by section 30, or

(b) any rights conferred by an order under section 35 or 36,

have any larger right against the mortgagee to occupy the dwelling-house than A has by virtue of his estate or interest and of any contract with the mortgagee.

(4) Subsection (3) does not apply, in the case of [F1 home rights], if under section 31 those rights are a charge, affecting the mortgagee, on the estate or interest mortgaged.

(5) In this section “connected person”, in relation to any person, means that person’s spouse, former spouse [F2 , civil partner, former civil partner], cohabitant or former cohabitant.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 54(3)(a)(4) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 82, 263, Sch. 9 para. 12(1)(2); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

F2 Words in s. 54(5) inserted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), ss. 82, 263, Sch. 9 para. 12(1)(3); S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1