(1)In Schedule 5 to the [1985 c. 68.] Housing Act 1985 (exceptions to the right to buy), for paragraph 11 (certain dwelling-houses for persons of pensionable age) there shall be substituted the following paragraph—
“11(1)The right to buy does not arise if the Secretary of State has determined, on the application of the landlord, that it is not to be capable of being exercised with respect to the dwelling-house.
(2)The Secretary of State shall so determine if, and only if, he is satisfied that the dwelling-house—
(a)is particularly suitable, having regard to its location, size, design, heating system and other features, for occupation by persons of pensionable age, and
(b)was let to the tenant or a predecessor in title of his for occupation by a person of pensionable age (whether the tenant or predecessor or another person).
(3)The Secretary of State shall for the purposes of this paragraph disregard the presence of any feature provided by the tenant or a predecessor in title of his.
(4)An application for a determination under this paragraph shall be made within the period for service of the landlord’s notice under section 124 (notice admitting or denying right to buy).
(5)This paragraph does not apply unless the dwelling-house concerned was first let before 1st January 1990.”
(2)Subsection (1) above does not apply in any case where the tenant’s notice claiming to exercise the right to buy was served before the day on which this section comes into force.
(3)For the purposes of subsection (2) above, no account shall be taken of any steps taken under section 177 of the [1985 c. 68.] Housing Act 1985 (amendment or withdrawal and re-service of notice to correct mistakes).