Housing Act 1996

[F1166 Applications for housing accommodationE+W

(1)A local housing authority shall secure that—

(a)advice and information is available free of charge to persons in their district about the right to make an application for an allocation of housing accommodation; and

(b)any necessary assistance in making such an application is available free of charge to persons in their district who are likely to have difficulty in doing so without assistance.

[F2(1A)A local housing authority in England shall secure that an applicant for an allocation of housing accommodation is informed that he has the rights mentioned in section 166A(9).”, and]

(2)A local housing authority [F3in Wales] shall secure that an applicant for an allocation of housing accommodation is informed that he has the rights mentioned in section 167(4A).

(3)Every application made to a local housing authority for an allocation of housing accommodation shall (if made in accordance with the procedural requirements of the authority’s allocation scheme) be considered by the authority.

(4)The fact that a person is an applicant for an allocation of housing accommodation shall not be divulged (without his consent) to any other member of the public.

(5)In this Part “district” in relation to a local housing authority has the same meaning as in the Housing Act 1985 (c. 68).]

Textual Amendments

F1S. 166 and cross-heading substituted (27.1.2003 for W. and 31.1.2003 for E.) for s. 166 by 2002 c. 7, s. 15 (with s. 20(4)); S.I. 2002/1736, art. 2(2), Sch. Pt. 2; S.I. 2002/3114, art. 3

F2S. 166(1A) inserted (15.1.2012 for specified purposes, 18.6.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 147(2)(a), 240(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(k) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 3

F3Words in s. 166(2) inserted (15.1.2012 for specified purposes, 18.6.2012 in so far as not already in force) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 147(2)(b), 240(2); S.I. 2012/57, art. 4(1)(k) (with arts. 6, 7, 9-11); S.I. 2012/1463, art. 3