Housing Act 1985

Meaning of “residence”, “ownership” and “proprietor”.

9 (1) A person shall not be treated for the purposes of this Schedule as resident in a house unless he is both the occupier of and resident in the house.

(2) In this Schedule “ownership” means such interest, or combination of interests, in a house as, together with the interest of the purchaser of the ownership, will constitute either—

(a) a fee simple in possession, or

(b) a leasehold interest in possession of which at least 60 years are unexpired at the date of the purchase.

(3) Where the ownership of a house is acquired by means of an advance to which this Schedule applies, the purchase of the ownership or, in the case of any devolution or transfer, the person in whom the interest of the purchaser is for the time being vested, is the proprietor of the house for the purposes of this Schedule.