26Consultation of bodies representing tenants etcE+W
(1)The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17) is amended as follows.
(2)After section 278 insert—
“278APower to nominate for consultation purposes
(1)The Secretary of State may for the purposes of the following provisions of this Part nominate a body appearing to the Secretary of State to represent the interests of tenants of social housing in England—
(a)section 112(4);
(b)section 174(5);
(c)section 196(1);
(d)section 197(4);
(e)section 216.
(2)The Secretary of State must notify the regulator of any nomination (or withdrawal of any nomination) under this section.”
(3)In each of sections 112(4) (consultation about criteria for registration of providers of social housing) and 174(5) (consultation about disposal of dwellings by registered providers of social housing)—
(a)after paragraph (b) (and before the “and” following that paragraph) insert—
“(ba)any body for the time being nominated under section 278A,”;
(b)in paragraph (c), after “one or more” insert “ other ”.
(4)In section 196(1) (consultation about standards etc for registered providers of social housing)—
(a)after paragraph (b) insert—
“(ba)any body for the time being nominated under section 278A,”;
(b)in paragraph (c), after “one or more” insert “ other ”.
(5)In section 197(4) (consultation about directions relating to standards)—
(a)after paragraph (d) insert—
“(da)any body for the time being nominated under section 278A,”;
(b)in paragraph (e), after “one or more” insert “ other ”.
(6)In section 216 (consultation about guidance to registered providers of social housing)—
(a)after paragraph (a) insert—
“(aa)any body for the time being nominated under section 278A,”;
(b)in paragraph (b), after “one or more” insert “ other ”.