Housing Act 1996

Interim duty to accommodate E+W

188 Interim duty to accommodate in case of apparent priority need. E+W

(1) If the local housing authority have reason to believe that an applicant may be homeless, eligible for assistance and have a priority need, they shall secure that accommodation is available for his occupation pending a decision as to the duty (if any) owed to him under the following provisions of this Part.

[F1 (1A) But if the local housing authority have reason to believe that the duty under section 193(2) may apply in relation to an applicant in the circumstances referred to in section 195A(1), they shall secure that accommodation is available for the applicant's occupation pending a decision of the kind referred to in subsection (1) regardless of whether the applicant has a priority need.]

(2) The duty under this section arises irrespective of any possibility of the referral of the applicant’s case to another local housing authority (see sections 198 to 200).

(3) The duty ceases when the authority’s decision is notified to the applicant, even if the applicant requests a review of the decision (see section 202).

The authority may [F2 secure] that accommodation is available for the applicant’s occupation pending a decision on a review.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 188(1A) inserted (9.11.2012 for E.) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss., 149(2), 240(3)(f); S.I. 2012/2599, arts. 1(2), 2 (with art. 3)

F2 Word in s. 188(3) substituted (31.7.2002 for E. and 30.9.2002 for W.) by 2002 c. 7, s. 18(1), Sch. 1 para. 8 (with s. 20(4)); S.I. 2002/1799, art. 2; S.I. 2002/1736, art. 2(1), Sch. Pt. 1

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Ss. 183-218 modified (3.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/797, art. 2(1)

C2 S. 188(3) restricted (8.1.2003) by 2002 c. 41, s. 55 (with s. 159); S.I. 2002/2811, art. 2, Sch.

S. 188(3) restricted (prosp.) by 2002 c. 41, ss. 54, 162(2), Sch. 3 para. 1(1)(j) (with s. 159)

189 Priority need for accommodation. E+W

(1) The following have a priority need for accommodation—

(a) a pregnant woman or a person with whom she resides or might reasonably be expected to reside;

(b) a person with whom dependent children reside or might reasonably be expected to reside;

(c) a person who is vulnerable as a result of old age, mental illness or handicap or physical disability or other special reason, or with whom such a person resides or might reasonably be expected to reside;

(d) a person who is homeless or threatened with homelessness as a result of an emergency such as flood, fire or other disaster.

(2) The Secretary of State may by order—

(a) specify further descriptions of persons as having a priority need for accommodation, and

(b) amend or repeal any part of subsection (1).

(3) Before making such an order the Secretary of State shall consult such associations representing relevant authorities, and such other persons, as he considers appropriate.

(4) No such order shall be made unless a draft of it has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 Ss. 183-218 modified (3.4.1997) by S.I. 1997/797, art.2(1)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 189 wholly in force 20.1.1997: s. 189 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 232(1)-(3); s. 189(2)-(4) in force at 1.10.1996 by S.I. 1996/2402, art. 3 (with transitional provisions and savings in the Sch.); s. 189 in force at 20.1.1997 to the extent it is not already in force by S.I. 1996/2959, art. 2