1.—(1) This Order may be cited as the Housing (Right to Acquire) (Electronic Communications) (England) Order 2001 and shall come into force on 24th October 2001.
(2) This Order extends to England only(1).
2. In section 16 of the Housing Act 1996(2) (right of tenant to acquire dwelling), at the end add the following subsections—
“(5) But notice must be taken to be given to a registered social landlord under subsection (4) by the Housing Corporation if it is sent using electronic communications to such number or address as the registered social landlord has for the time being notified to the Housing Corporation for that purpose.
(6) The means by which notice is sent by virtue of subsection (5) must be such as to enable the registered social landlord to reproduce the notice by electronic means in a form which is visible and legible.
(7) An electronic communication is a communication transmitted (whether from one person to another, from one device to another, or from a person to a device or vice versa)—
(a)by means of a telecommunications system (within the meaning of the Telecommunications Act 1984(3); or
(b)by other means but while in an electronic form.”
Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State.
Sally Keeble
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State
Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
26th September 2001