Section 83 – Succession interpretation
246.This section makes provision for the interpretation of terms used in the sections dealing with succession for the purposes of the Act more widely. It includes provision to clarify that where a person succeeds to a fixed term standard contract, and at the end of that contract a periodic standard contract arises, the person will continue to be treated as a successor in relation to that periodic contract (in the same way that he or she was a successor in relation to the preceding fixed term contract).
247.This section also makes similar provision where a contract is ended on the basis of abandonment (see section 220), but the court decides there was no abandonment and the contract-holder must be given suitable alternative accommodation. This means that if the contract-holder was a priority or reserve successor in relation to the original contract they will also be a priority or reserve successor in relation to any occupation contract that arises as a result of an order under section 222.
248.The section also makes provision maintaining the status of priority and reserve successors in the following circumstances:
where there has been a transfer of a contract in accordance with a family property order,
where being treated as a priority or reserve successor was a condition of consent to a transaction, and
where a contract-holder under a secure contract becomes a contract-holder under another secure contract, either with the same landlord as under the original contract or in respect of the same dwelling.