PART 1New homes in England

CHAPTER 2Self-build and custom housebuilding

I19Definitions

1

In section 1 of the Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Act 2015 (register of persons seeking to acquire land), before subsection (1) insert—

A1

In this Act “self-build and custom housebuilding” means the building or completion by—

a

individuals,

b

associations of individuals, or

c

persons working with or for individuals or associations of individuals,

of houses to be occupied as homes by those individuals.

A2

But it does not include the building of a house on a plot acquired from a person who builds the house wholly or mainly to plans or specifications decided or offered by that person.

2

In subsection (1) of that section—

a

omit “(including bodies corporate that exercise functions on behalf of associations of individuals)”;

b

for “in order to build houses for those individuals to occupy as homes” substitute “ for their own self-build and custom housebuilding ”.

3

After subsection (6) of that section insert—

6A

In this section—

  • “association of individuals” includes a body corporate that exercises functions on behalf of an association of individuals;

  • “completion” does not include anything that falls outside the definition of “building operations” in section 55(1A) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990;

  • “home”, in relation to an individual, means the individual's sole or main residence.

4

In section 5 of that Act (interpretation)—

a

at the appropriate place insert—

“self-build and custom housebuilding” has the meaning given by section 1;

b

for the definition of “serviced plot of land” substitute—

“serviced plot of land” means a plot of land that—

a

has access to a public highway and has connections for electricity, water and waste water, or

b

can be provided with those things in specified circumstances or within a specified period;

c

at the end of that section (the existing text of which becomes subsection (1)) insert—

2

Regulations may amend the definition of “serviced plot of land” by adding further services to those mentioned in paragraph (a).