Housing (Wales) Act 2014

Housing (Wales) Act 2014

7

Commentary on Sections

Part 9 Miscellaneous and General

Schedule 3 –Minor and consequential amendments

Part 1 – Homelessness

264. This makes minor and consequential amendments to various Acts as a result of the provisions in Part 2. Paragraphs 13 and 14 deal with cases referred to a local housing authority in England from a local housing authority in Wales.

Part 2 – Gypsies and Travellers

265. This amends the Local Government Act 2003 and the Housing Act 2004 and revokes the Housing (Assessment of Accommodation Needs) (Meaning of Gypsies and Travellers) (Wales) Regulations 2007. The Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 is amended to provide for a consistent definition of “Gypsies and Travellers” between the 2013 Act and this Act.

Part 3 – Standards for social housing

266. This amends section 24 of the Housing Act 1985 to remove subsections (3) and (4), which require a local housing authority, when setting reasonable rents, to have regard to the principle that the rents for the tenancy or occupancy of its houses should bear broadly the same proportion to rents in the private sector. A local housing authority must, when setting reasonable rents under section 24 of the Housing Act 1985, comply with standards relating to rent or service charges set under section 111 and relevant guidance issued under section 112 of this Act.

267. As a result of an amendment to the Housing Act 1996, registered social landlords may be required to comply with rules specified in standards set under section 33A of the 1996 Act. The Welsh Ministers may revise and withdraw guidance on the standards. They must publish any guidance issued. They must also consult when setting, revising or withdrawing standards and when setting, revising or withdrawing any guidance.