Amendment of regulation 2 (interpretation)

3.  In regulation 2 (interpretation) at the appropriate places insert—

““almshouse accommodation” means—

(a)

accommodation in an almshouse provided by an almshouse charity; or

(b)

any low cost rental accommodation provided by a charity which is maintained as an almshouse (whether it is called an almshouse or not);

“existing building” means—

(a)

a building which is connected to a district heat network or communal heating—

(i)

before 27th November 2020; or

(ii)

on or after 27th November 2020, where the building is not newly constructed and was not originally constructed for connection to a district heat network or communal heating;

(b)

a building mentioned in regulation 2A(2)(b) which ceases to meet the criteria in paragraph (i) or (ii) of that regulation; or

(c)

a building mentioned in regulation 2A(3)(a) which ceases to meet the criteria in paragraph (i) or (ii) of that regulation;

“low cost rental accommodation” means accommodation which is made available for rent below the market rate in accordance with rules designed to ensure that it is made available to people whose needs are not adequately served by the commercial housing market;

“social housing provider” means—

(a)

in England, a registered provider of social housing as defined in section 80(2) of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008(1);

(b)

in Northern Ireland, a registered housing association within the meaning of Part 2 of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992(2) or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive;

(c)

in Scotland, a social landlord as defined in section 165 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2010(3);

(d)

in Wales a registered social landlord within the meaning of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996(4) or a local authority;

“student accommodation” means rental accommodation provided under an agreement which grants a right of occupation in a building or dwelling for persons who are in full-time education at a university, college, school or other educational establishment;

“supported housing” means any of the following low cost rental accommodation provided by a social housing provider—

(a)

sheltered housing or extra care housing providing additional support for residents;

(b)

emergency accommodation for the homeless;

(c)

a domestic violence refuge or a domestic abuse refuge;

(d)

housing which is provided in conjunction with support and is made available exclusively for—

(i)

people with drug or alcohol problems;

(ii)

people with mental health problems;

(iii)

people with learning disabilities;

(iv)

people with physical disabilities;

(v)

offenders and people at risk of offending;

(vi)

young people leaving care;

(vii)

teenage parents; or

(viii)

refugees.”.

(2)

S.I. 1992/1725 (N.I. 15), to which there are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.