Housing Act 1996

158Interpretation: Chapter III

(1)For the purposes of this Chapter—

  • “charitable housing trust” means a housing trust, within the meaning of the [1985 c. 69.] Housing Associations Act 1985, which is a charity within the meaning of the [1993 c. 10.] Charities Act 1993;

  • “child” means a person under the age of 18 years;

  • “harm”—

    (a)

    in relation to a person who has reached the age of 18 years, means ill-treatment or the impairment of health, and

    (b)

    in relation to a child, means ill-treatment or the impairment of health or development;

  • “health” includes physical or mental health;

  • “ill-treatment”, in relation to a child, includes sexual abuse and forms of ill-treatment which are not physical;

  • “relevant judge”, in relation to an injunction, means—

    (a)

    where the injunction was granted by the High Court, a judge of that court,

    (b)

    where the injunction was granted by a county court, a judge or district judge of that or any other county court;

  • “tenancy” includes a licence, and “tenant” and “landlord” shall be construed accordingly.

(2)Where the question of whether harm suffered by a child is significant turns on the child’s health or development, his health or development shall be compared with that which could reasonably be expected of a similar child.