294Ballots before certain disposals to private landlords
(1)Schedule 3A to the Housing Act 1985 (c. 68) (consultation before disposal to private sector landlord) is amended as follows.
(2)After paragraph 3(3) insert—
“(4)When a notice has been served under sub-paragraph (3) the authority shall arrange a ballot of the tenants in accordance with sub-paragraph (5) to establish whether or not the tenants wish the disposal to proceed.
(5)The authority shall—
(a)make arrangements for such person as they consider appropriate to conduct the ballot in such manner as that person considers appropriate; or
(b)conduct the ballot themselves.
(6)After the ballot has been held the authority shall serve a notice on each tenant (whether or not he voted in the ballot) informing him—
(a)of the ballot result; and
(b)if the authority intend to proceed with the disposal, that he may within 28 days after the service of the notice make representations to the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) the Welsh Ministers.”
(3)In paragraph 5(1)—
(a)for “it appears to him” substitute “the result of a ballot arranged under paragraph 3(4) shows”, and
(b)after “relates” insert “who voted in the ballot”.
(4)After paragraph 5 insert—
“Guidance
5A(1)The appropriate person must give guidance to local authorities about complying with the requirements of paragraph 3 as to consultation.
(2)The appropriate person must publish guidance given under this paragraph as soon as reasonably practicable after giving it.
(3)Local authorities must, in complying with the requirements of paragraph 3 as to consultation, have regard to the guidance for the time being in force under this paragraph.
(4)The appropriate person may revoke guidance given under this paragraph.
(5)References in this paragraph to giving guidance include references to giving guidance by varying existing guidance.
(6)In this paragraph “the appropriate person” means—
(a)in relation to England, the Secretary of State, and
(b)in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers.”
(5)Subsections (2) to (4) do not apply to consultations begun before the coming into force of those subsections.
(6)For the purposes of subsection (5) a consultation has begun when a notice has been served under paragraph 3(2) of Schedule 3A to the Act of 1985.