Housing Act 1985

Other authorities and bodies E+W

4 Other descriptions of authority. E+W

[F1 (1)] In this Act—

(a) “housing authority” means a local housing authority [F2 or a new town corporation];

(b) “new town corporation” means a development corporation or the [F3 new towns residuary body];

(c) “development corporation” means a development corporation established by an order made, or having effect as if made, under the M1 New Towns Act 1981;

(d) “urban development corporation” means an urban development corporation established under Part XVI of the M2 Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980;

(e) “local authority” means a county, [F4 county borough,] district or London borough council, the Common Council of the City of London or the Council of the Isles of Scilly [F5 , in sections 43, 44 and 232 includes the Broads Authority][F6 , in sections 438, 441, 442, 443 and 458 includes the Broads Authority [F7 , a joint authority established by Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1985, an economic prosperity board, a combined authority, [F8 a combined county authority,] a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 F9 ...]] [F10 and the London Fire Commissioner], and in sections 45(2)(b), 50(2), 51(6), 80(1), 157(1), 171(2), F11 . . ., 573(1), paragraph 2(1) of Schedule 1, grounds 7 and 12 in Schedule 2, ground 5 in Schedule 3, paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 4, paragraph 5(1)(b) of Schedule 5 and Schedule 16 includes F12 . . . [F13 the Broads Authority][F6 , a [F14 police and crime commissioner] Act 1996,]. . . F15 . . . F16 . . . F12 . . . [F17 , a joint authority established by Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1985, [F18 an economic prosperity board, a combined authority [F19 , a fire and rescue authority created by an order under section 4A of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004] ,] F9 ... ] [F10 and the London Fire Commissioner];

[F20 (f) “ housing action trust ” means a housing action trust established under Part III of the Housing Act 1988];

[F21 (g) “ new towns residuary body ” means—

(i) in relation to England, the Homes and Communities Agency so far as exercising functions in relation to anything transferred (or to be transferred) to it as mentioned in section 52(1)(a) to (d) of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008[F22 or the Greater London Authority so far as exercising its new towns and urban development functions]; and

(ii) in relation to Wales, the Welsh Ministers so far as exercising functions in relation to anything transferred (or to be transferred) to them as mentioned in section 36(1)(a) (i) to (iii) of the New Towns Act 1981.]

[F23 (2) In this section—

• “ combined authority ” means a combined authority established under section 103 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;

• [F24 “combined county authority” means a combined county authority established under section 9(1) of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023;]

• “ economic prosperity board ” means an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of that Act;

• F25 ...]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 4 renumbered (1.4.2008) as s. 4(1) by virtue of Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 41(1); S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(o)(p)

F2 Words in s. 4(1)(a) substituted (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 129, Sch. 15 para. 7 (with ss. 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 4

F3 Words in s. 4(1)(b) substituted (1.12.2008) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3002), arts. 1(2)(3), 4, Sch. 1 para. 3(a) (with Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/3068, arts. 1(2), 2(1)(b) (with arts. 6-13)

F4 Words in s. 4(1)(e) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19. s. 22(2), Sch. 8 para. 5(3) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch. 1

F5 Words in s. 4(1)(e) inserted by Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4, SIF 81:1), s. 21, Sch. 6 para. 25(a)

F6 Words in s. 4(1)(e) inserted (1.10.1994 for certain purposes only and 1.4.1995 otherwise) by 1994 c. 29, s. 43, Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 58(a)(c); S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch.

F7 Words in s. 4(1)(e) substituted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 41(2)(a); S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(o)(p)

F8 Words in s. 4(1)(e) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 84(2) (with s. 247)

F9 Words in s. 4(1)(e) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 13 para. 6(19)(a); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(g)

F10 Words in s. 4(1)(e) substituted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 1.4.2018 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 2 para. 73; S.I. 2018/227, reg. 4(c)

F11 Words in s. 4(1)(e) omitted (1.10.1994 for certain purposes only and 1.4.1995 otherwise) by virtue of 1994 c. 29, s. 43, Sch. 4 Pt. II para. 58(b); S.I. 1994/2025, art. 6; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch.; and repealed (1.4.1995) by 1994 c. 29, s. 93, Sch. 9 Pt. I; S.I. 1994/3262, art. 4, Sch.

F12 Words in s. 4(1)(e) repealed by Education Reform Act 1988 (c. 40, SIF 41:1), ss. 231(7), 235(6), 237(2), Sch. 13 Pt. I

F13 Words in s. 4(1)(e) inserted by Norfolk and Suffolk Broads Act 1988 (c. 4, SIF 81:1), s. 21, Sch. 6 para. 25(b)

F14 Words in s. 4(1)(e) substituted (22.11.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 157(1), Sch. 16 para. 168; S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(i)

F15 Words in s. 4(1)(e) repealed (1.4.2002) by 2001 c. 16, ss. 128, 137, Sch. 6 Pt. 3 para. 67, Sch. 7 Pt. 5; S.I. 2002/344, art. 3(k)(m) (with transitional provisions in art. 4)

F16 Word in s. 4(1)(e) repealed (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 423, Sch. 34 Pt. VIII (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4(1)

F17 Words in s. 4(1)(e) substituted (1.4.2008) by Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 (c. 28), ss. 209, 245, Sch. 13 para. 41(2)(b); S.I. 2008/917, art. 2(o)(p)

F18 Words in s. 4(1)(e) inserted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 119, 146(3), 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 68(2); S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2

F19 Words in s. 4(1)(e) inserted (31.1.2017 for specified purposes, 3.4.2017 in so far as not already in force) by Policing and Crime Act 2017 (c. 3), s. 183(1)(5)(e), Sch. 1 para. 49; S.I. 2017/399, reg. 2, Sch. para. 38

F20 S. 4(1)(f) added by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 61), s. 62(7)

F21 S. 4(1)(g) inserted (1.12.2008) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3002), arts. 1(2)(3), 4, Sch. 1 para. 3(b) (with Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/3068, arts. 1(2), 2(1)(b) (with arts. 6-13)

F22 Words in s. 4(1)(g)(i) inserted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 19 para. 11; S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(i) (with arts. 9, 11, 14, 15, 17)

F23 S. 4(2) substituted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), ss. 119, 146(3), 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 68(3); S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2

F24 Words in s. 4(2) inserted (26.12.2023) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(2)(c), Sch. 4 para. 84(3) (with s. 247)

F25 Words in s. 4(2) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), s. 115(7), Sch. 13 para. 6(19)(b); S.I. 2015/994, art. 6(g)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 4(e) extended by S.I. 1985/1884, art. 10, Sch. 3 para. 4(x)

Marginal Citations

M1 1981 c. 64.

M2 1980 c. 65.

5 Housing associations. E+W

(1) In this Act “housing association” means a society, body of trustees or company—

(a) which is established for the purpose of, or amongst whose objects or powers are included those of, providing, constructing, improving or managing, or facilitating or encouraging the construction or improvement of, housing accommodation, and

(b) which does not trade for profit or whose constitution or rules prohibit the issue of capital with interest or dividend exceeding such rate as may be prescribed by the Treasury, whether with or without differentiation as between share and loan capital.

(2) In this Act “fully mutual”, in relation to a housing association, means that the rules of the association—

(a) restrict membership to persons who are tenants or prospective tenants of the association, and

(b) preclude the granting or assignment of tenancies to persons other than members;

and “co-operative housing association” means a fully mutual housing association which is a [F26 registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014].

(3) In this Act “self-build society” means a housing association whose object is to provide, for sale to, or occupation by, its members, dwellings built or improved principally with the use of its members’ own labour.

[F27 [F28 (4) In this Act “registered social landlord” means a housing association registered in the register maintained under section 1 of the Housing Act 1996, subject as follows.]

(5) References to registered social landlords include, where the context so permits, references to housing associations registered in the register maintained by Scottish Homes under section 3 of the Housing Associations Act 1985 (Scottish registered housing associations).]

Textual Amendments

F26 Words in s. 5(2) substituted (1.8.2014) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), s. 154, Sch. 4 para. 33 (with Sch. 5)

F27 S. 5(4)(5) substituted for s. 5(4) (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/2325, art. 5(1), Sch. 2 para. 14(2)

F28 S. 5(4) substituted (1.4.2010) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/866), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 16 (with art. 6, Sch. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 S. 5(4) modified (1.12.2008) by The Transfer of Housing Corporation Functions (Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2839), art. 3, Sch. para. 2(1) (with art. 6); S.I. 2008/3068, arts. 1(2), 2(1)(b) (with arts. 6-13)

6 Housing trusts. E+W

In this Act “housing trust” means a corporation or body of persons which—

(a) is required by the terms of its constituent instrument to use the whole of its funds, including any surplus which may arise from its operations, for the purpose of providing housing accommodation, or

(b) is required by the terms of its constituent instrument to devote the whole, or substantially the whole, of its funds for charitable purposes and in fact uses the whole, or substantially the whole, of its funds for the purpose of providing housing accommodation.

[F29 6A The Corporation E+W

(1) In this Act “the [F30 Relevant Authority]” means the [F31 Regulator of Social Housing], [F32 the Secretary of State] or Scottish Homes, subject as follows.

(2) In relation to a housing association which is—

(a) a registered charity which has its address for the purposes of registration by the [F33 Charity Commission] in Wales,

(b) a [F34 registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014] which has its registered office for the purposes of that Act in Wales, or

(c) a company [F35 registered under the Companies Act 2006] which has its registered office for the purposes of that Act in Wales,

“the [F30 Relevant Authority]” means [F32 the Secretary of State].

(3) In relation to a housing association which is a [F34 registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014] which has its registered office for the purposes of that Act in Scotland, “the [F30 Relevant Authority]” means Scottish Homes.

(4) In relation to any other housing association which is a registered charity, a [F34 registered society within the meaning of the Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014] or a company [F35 registered under the Companies Act 2006], “the [F30 Relevant Authority]” means the [F36 Regulator of Social Housing].

[F37 (4A) This section is subject to any provision made elsewhere in this Act.]

(5) In this section “registered charity” means a charity which is registered [F38 in accordance with section 30 of the Charities Act 2011] F39 . . . .]

Textual Amendments

F29 S. 6A substituted (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/2325, art. 5(1), Sch. 2 para. 14(3)

F30 Words in s. 6A substituted (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 140, Sch. 16 para. 5 (with ss. 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 5

F31 Words in s. 6A(1) substituted (1.4.2010) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/866), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 17 (with art. 6, Sch. 3)

F32 Words in s. 6A(1)(2) substituted (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 140, Sch. 16 para. 7 (with ss. 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 5

F33 Words in s. 6A(2) substituted (27.2.2007) by Charities Act 2006 (c. 50), ss. 75(1), 79(2), Sch. 8 para. 77(2); S.I. 2007/309, art. 2, Sch. (subject to arts. 4-13)

F34 Words in s. 6A(2)(b) substituted (1.8.2014) by Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014 (c. 14), s. 154, Sch. 4 para. 34 (with Sch. 5)

F35 Words in s. 6A(2)(c)(4) substituted (1.10.2009) by The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order (S.I. 2009/1941), art. 2(1), {Sch. 1 para. 62(2)} (with art. 10)

F36 Words in s. 6A(4) substituted (1.4.2010) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/866), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 17 (with art. 6, Sch. 3)

F37 S. 6A(4A) inserted (1.12.2008) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/3002), art. 4, Sch. 1 para. 4 (with Sch. 2); S.I. 2008/3068, arts. 1(2), 2(1)(b) (with arts. 6-13)

F38 Words in s. 6A(5) substituted (14.3.2012) by Charities Act 2011 (c. 25), s. 355, Sch. 7 para. 43 (with s. 20(2), Sch. 8)

F39 Words in s. 6A(5) repealed (31.1.2009) by Charities Act 2006 (c. 50), ss. 75(1)(2), 79(2), Sch. 8 para. 77(3)(b), Sch. 9; S.I. 2008/3267, art. 2, Sch. (with arts. 3-17) (as amended (29.9.2009) by S.I. 2009/2648, art. 3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C3 S. 6A modified (1.12.2008) by The Transfer of Housing Corporation Functions (Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2839), art. 3, Sch. para. 2(1) (with art. 6); S.I. 2008/3068, arts. 1(2), 2(1)(b) (with arts. 6-13)