Housing Act 1985

Security of tenureE+W

79 Secure tenancies.E+W

(1)A tenancy under which a dwelling-house is let as a separate dwelling is a secure tenancy at any time when the conditions described in sections 80 and 81 as the landlord condition and the tenant condition are satisfied.

(2)Subsection (1) has effect subject to—

(a)the exceptions in Schedule 1 (tenancies which are not secure tenancies),

(b)sections 89(3) and (4) and 90(3) and (4) (tenancies ceasing to be secure after death of tenant), and

(c)sections 91(2) and 93(2) (tenancies ceasing to be secure in consequence of assignment of subletting).

(3)The provisions of this Part apply in relation to a licence to occupy a dwelling-house (whether or not granted for a consideration) as they apply in relation to a tenancy.

(4)Subsection (3) does not apply to a licence granted as a temporary expedient to a person who entered the dwelling-house or any other land as a trespasser (whether or not, before the grant of that licence, another licence to occupy that or another dwelling-house had been granted to him).

80 The landlord condition.E+W

(1)The landlord condition is that the interest of the landlord belongs to one of the following authorities or bodies—

• a local authority,

• a [F1development] corporation,

• [F2a housing action trust]

• [F3 a Mayoral development corporation, ]

• an urban development corporation, [F4in the case of a tenancy falling within subsections (2A) to (2E), the Homes and Communities Agency[F5 , the Greater London Authority] or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be), ]

• F6. . .

• F7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• F7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• F8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . housing co-operative to which this section applies.

F9(2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F10(2A)A tenancy falls within this subsection if the interest of the landlord is transferred to—

(a)the Homes and Communities Agency as mentioned in section 52(1)(a) to (d) of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008,

[F11(aa)the Greater London Authority as mentioned in section 333ZI(2)(a) to (d) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, or]

(b)the Welsh Ministers as mentioned in section 36(1)(a)(i) to (iii) of the New Towns Act 1981.

(2B)A tenancy falls within this subsection if it is entered into pursuant to a contract under which the rights and liabilities of the prospective landlord are transferred to the Homes and Communities Agency[F12, the Greater London Authority] or the Welsh Ministers as mentioned in subsection (2A)(a)[F13, (aa) ] or (b) (as the case may be).

(2C)A tenancy falls within this subsection if it is granted by the Homes and Communities Agency[F14 , the Greater London Authority] or the Welsh Ministers to a person (alone or jointly with others) who, immediately before it was entered into, was a secure tenant of the Homes and Communities Agency[F14 , the Greater London Authority] or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be).

(2D)A tenancy falls within this subsection if—

(a)it is granted by the Homes and Communities Agency[F15, the Greater London Authority] or the Welsh Ministers to a person (alone or jointly with others),

(b)before the grant of the tenancy, an order for possession of a dwelling-house let under a secure tenancy was made against the person (alone or jointly with others) and in favour of the Homes and Communities Agency[F15, the Greater London Authority] or the Welsh Ministers (as the case may be) on the court being satisfied as mentioned in section 84(2)(b) or (c), and

(c)the tenancy is of the premises which constitute the suitable accommodation as to which the court was so satisfied.

(2E)A tenancy falls within this subsection if it is granted by the Homes and Communities Agency[F16 , the Greater London Authority] or the Welsh Ministers pursuant to an obligation under section 554(2A).]

(3)If a co-operative housing association ceases to be[F17a private registered provider of social housing or] [F18a registered social landlord], it shall, within the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which it ceases to be [F19such a body], notify each of its tenants who thereby becomes a secure tenant, in writing, that he has become a secure tenant.

[F20(4)This section applies to a housing co-operative within the meaning of section 27B (agreements under certain superseded provisions) where the dwelling-house is comprised in a housing co-operative agreement within the meaning of that section.]

[F21(5)In this Act and in any provision made under this Act, or made by or under any other enactment, a reference to—

(a)a person within section 80 or 80(1) of this Act, or

(b)a person who satisfies the landlord condition under this section,

includes a reference to the Homes and Communities Agency[F22 , to the Greater London Authority] or to the Welsh Ministers so far as acting in their capacity as landlord (or, in the case of disposals, former landlord) in respect of a tenancy which falls within subsections (2A) to (2E) above but, subject to this, does not include the Homes and Communities Agency[F23, the Greater London Authority ] or the Welsh Ministers.

(6)Subsection (5)—

(a)applies whether the person is described as an authority, body or landlord or in any other way and whether the reference is otherwise expressed in a different way, and

(b)is subject to any provision to the contrary.]

81 The tenant condition.E+W

The tenant condition is that the tenant is an individual and occupies the dwelling-house as his only or principal home; or, where the tenancy is a joint tenancy, that each of the joint tenants is an individual and at least one of them occupies the dwelling-house as his only or principal home.

82 Security of tenure.E+W

(1)A secure tenancy which is either—

(a)a weekly or other periodic tenancy, or

(b)a tenancy for a term certain but subject to termination by the landlord,

cannot be brought to an end by the landlord except [F24as][F25mentioned in subsection (1A)] .

[F26(1A)The tenancy may be brought to an end by the landlord—

(a)obtaining—

(i)an order of the court for the possession of the dwelling-house, and

(ii)the execution of the order,

(b)obtaining an order under subsection (3), or

(c)obtaining a demotion order under section 82A.

(2)In the case mentioned in subsection (1A)(a), the tenancy ends when the order is executed.]

(3)Where a secure tenancy is a tenancy for a term certain but with a provision for re-entry or forfeiture, the court shall not order possession of the dwelling-house in pursuance of that provision, but in a case where the court would have made such an order it shall instead make an order terminating the tenancy on a date specified in the order and section 86 (periodic tenancy arising on termination of fixed term) shall apply.

(4)Section 146 of the M1Law of Property Act 1925 (restriction on and relief against forfeiture), except subsection (4) (vesting in under-lessee), and any other enactment or rule of law relating to forfeiture, shall apply in relation to proceedings for an order under subsection (3) of this section as if they were proceedings to enforce a right of re-entry or forfeiture.

[F2782ADemotion because of anti-social behaviourE+W

(1)This section applies to a secure tenancy if the landlord is—

(a)a local housing authority;

(b)a housing action trust;

[F28(ba)a private registered provider of social housing;]

(c)a registered social landlord.

(2)The landlord may apply to a county court for a demotion order.

(3)A demotion order has the following effect—

(a)the secure tenancy is terminated with effect from the date specified in the order;

(b)if the tenant remains in occupation of the dwelling-house after that date a demoted tenancy is created with effect from that date;

(c)it is a term of the demoted tenancy that any arrears of rent payable at the termination of the secure tenancy become payable under the demoted tenancy;

(d)it is also a term of the demoted tenancy that any rent paid in advance or overpaid at the termination of the secure tenancy is credited to the tenant’s liability to pay rent under the demoted tenancy.

(4)The court must not make a demotion order unless it is satisfied—

(a)that the tenant or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house has engaged or has threatened to [F29 engage in—

(i)housing-related anti-social conduct, or

(ii)conduct to which section 153B of the Housing Act 1996 (use of premises for unlawful purposes) applies, and]

(b)that it is reasonable to make the order.

(5)Each of the following has effect in respect of a demoted tenancy at the time it is created by virtue of an order under this section as it has effect in relation to the secure tenancy at the time it is terminated by virtue of the order—

(a)the parties to the tenancy;

(b)the period of the tenancy;

(c)the amount of the rent;

(d)the dates on which the rent is payable.

(6)Subsection (5)(b) does not apply if the secure tenancy was for a fixed term and in such a case the demoted tenancy is a weekly periodic tenancy.

(7)If the landlord of the demoted tenancy serves on the tenant a statement of any other express terms of the secure tenancy which are to apply to the demoted tenancy such terms are also terms of the demoted tenancy.

[F30(7A) In subsection (4)(a) “ housing-related anti-social conduct ” has the same meaning as in section 153A of the Housing Act 1996. ]

(8)For the purposes of this section a demoted tenancy is—

(a)a tenancy to which section 143A of the Housing Act 1996 applies if the landlord of the secure tenancy is a local housing authority or a housing action trust;

(b)a tenancy to which section 20B of the Housing Act 1988 applies if the landlord of the secure tenancy is [F31a private registered provider of social housing or] a registered social landlord.]

[F3283 Proceedings for possession or termination: notice requirements.E+W

(1)The court shall not entertain proceedings for [F33an order mentioned in section 82(1A)][F34, other than proceedings under section 107D (recovery of possession on expiry of flexible tenancy),] unless—

(a)the landlord has served a notice on the tenant complying with the provisions of this section, or

(b)the court considers it just and equitable to dispense with the requirement of such a notice.

(2)A notice under this section shall—

(a)be in a form prescribed by regulations made by the Secretary of State,

(b)specify the ground on which the court will be asked to make [F35the order] and

(c)give particulars of that ground.

(3)Where the tenancy is a periodic tenancy and the ground or one of the grounds specified in the notice is Ground 2 in Schedule 2 (nuisance or other anti-social behaviour), the notice—

(a)shall also—

(i)state that proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house may be begun immediately, and

(ii)specify the date sought by the landlord as the date on which the tenant is to give up possession of the dwelling-house, and

(b)ceases to be in force twelve months after the date so specified.

(4)Where the tenancy is a periodic tenancy and Ground 2 in Schedule 2 is not specified in the notice, the notice—

(a)shall also specify the date after which proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house may be begun, and

(b)ceases to be in force twelve months after the date so specified.

[F36(4A)If the proceedings are for a demotion order under section 82A the notice—

(a)must specify the date after which the proceedings may be begun;

(b)ceases to be in force twelve months after the date so specified.]

(5)The date specified in accordance with subsection (3) [F37(4) or (4A)] must not be earlier than the date on which the tenancy could, apart from this Part, be brought to an end by notice to quit given by the landlord on the same date as the notice under this section.

(6)Where a notice under this section is served with respect to a secure tenancy for a term certain, it has effect also with respect to any periodic tenancy arising on the termination of that tenancy by virtue of section 86; and subsections (3) to (5) of this section do not apply to the notice.

(7)Regulations under this section shall be made by statutory instrument and may make different provision with respect to different cases or descriptions of case, including different provision for different areas.]

[F3883A Additional requirements in relation to certain proceedings for possession.E+W

(1)Where a notice under section 83 has been served on a tenant containing the information mentioned in subsection (3)(a) of that section, the court shall not entertain proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house unless they are begun at a time when the notice is still in force.

(2)Where—

(a)a notice under section 83 has been served on a tenant, and

(b)a date after which proceedings may be begun has been specified in the notice in accordance with subsection (4)(a) of that section,

the court shall not entertain proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house unless they are begun after the date so specified and at a time when the notice is still in force.

(3)Where—

(a)the ground or one of the grounds specified in a notice under section 83 is Ground 2A in Schedule 2 (domestic violence), and

(b)the partner who has left the dwelling-house as mentioned in that ground is not a tenant of the dwelling-house,

the court shall not entertain proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house unless it is satisfied that the landlord has served a copy of the notice on the partner who has left or has taken all reasonable steps to serve a copy of the notice on that partner.

This subsection has effect subject to subsection (5).

(4)Where—

(a)Ground 2A in Schedule 2 is added to a notice under section 83 with the leave of the court after proceedings for possession are begun, and

(b)the partner who has left the dwelling-house as mentioned in that ground is not a party to the proceedings,

the court shall not continue to entertain the proceedings unless it is satisfied that the landlord has served a notice under subsection (6) on the partner who has left or has taken all reasonable steps to serve such a notice on that partner.

This subsection has effect subject to subsection (5).

(5)Where subsection (3) or (4) applies and Ground 2 in Schedule 2 (nuisance or other anti-social behaviour) is also specified in the notice under section 83, the court may dispense with the requirements as to service in relation to the partner who has left the dwelling-house if it considers it just and equitable to do so.

(6)A notice under this subsection shall—

(a)state that proceedings for the possession of the dwelling-house have begun,

(b)specify the ground or grounds on which possession is being sought, and

(c)give particulars of the ground or grounds.]

84 Grounds and orders for possession.E+W

(1)The court shall not make an order for the possession of a dwelling-house let under a secure tenancy except on one or more of the grounds set out in Schedule 2 [F39or in accordance with section 107D (recovery of possession on expiry of flexible tenancy)].

(2)The court shall not make an order for possession—

(a)on the grounds set out in Part I of that Schedule (grounds 1 to 8), unless it considers it reasonable to make the order,

(b)on the grounds set out in Part II of that Schedule (grounds 9 to 11), unless it is satisfied that suitable accommodation will be available for the tenant when the order takes effect,

(c)on the grounds set out in Part III of that Schedule (grounds 12 to 16), unless it both considers it reasonable to make the order and is satisfied that suitable accommodation will be available for the tenant when the order takes effect;

and Part IV of that Schedule has effect for determining whether suitable accommodation will be available for a tenant.

F40 [( 3 )Where a notice under section 83 has been served on the tenant, the court shall not make such an order on any of those grounds above unless the ground is specified in the notice; but the grounds so specified may be altered or added to with the leave of the court.

(4)Where a date is specified in a notice under section 83 in accordance with subsection (3) of that section, the court shall not make an order which requires the tenant to give up possession of the dwelling-house in question before the date so specified.]

85 Extended discretion of court in certain proceedings for possession.E+W

(1)Where proceedings are brought for possession of a dwelling-house let under a secure tenancy on any of the grounds set out in Part I or Part III of Schedule 2 (grounds 1 to 8 and 12 to 16: cases in which the court must be satisfied that it is reasonable to make a possession order), the court may adjourn the proceedings for such period or periods as it thinks fit.

(2)On the making of an order for possession of such a dwelling-house on any of those grounds, or at any time before the execution of the order, the court may—

(a)stay or suspend the execution of the order, or

(b)postpone the date of possession,

for such period or periods as the court thinks fit.

(3)On such an adjournment, stay, suspension or postponement the court—

(a)shall impose conditions with respect to the payment by the tenant of arrears of rent (if any) and rent F41. . . unless it considers that to do so would cause exceptional hardship to the tenant or would otherwise be unreasonable, and

(b)may impose such other conditions as it thinks fit.

[F42(4)The court may discharge or rescind the order for possession if it thinks it appropriate to do so having had regard to—

(a)any conditions imposed under subsection (3), and

(b)the conduct of the tenant in connection with those conditions.]

(5)F43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5A)F44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F4585AProceedings for possession: anti-social behaviourE+W

(1)This section applies if the court is considering under section 84(2)(a) whether it is reasonable to make an order for possession on ground 2 set out in Part 1 of Schedule 2 (conduct of tenant or other person).

(2)The court must consider, in particular—

(a)the effect that the nuisance or annoyance has had on persons other than the person against whom the order is sought;

(b)any continuing effect the nuisance or annoyance is likely to have on such persons;

(c)the effect that the nuisance or annoyance would be likely to have on such persons if the conduct is repeated.]

86 Periodic tenancy arising on termination of fixed term.E+W

(1)Where a secure tenancy (“the first tenancy”) is a tenancy for a term certain and comes to an end—

(a)by effluxion of time, or

(b)by an order of the court under section 82(3) (termination in pursuance of provision for re-entry or forfeiture),

a periodic tenancy of the same dwelling-house arises by virtue of this section, unless the tenant is granted another secure tenancy of the same dwelling-house (whether a tenancy for a term certain or a periodic tenancy) to begin on the coming to an end of the first tenancy.

(2)Where a periodic tenancy arises by virtue of this section—

(a)the periods of the tenancy are the same as those for which rent was last payable under the first tenancy, and

(b)the parties and the terms of the tenancy are the same as those of the first tenancy at the end of it;

except that the terms are confined to those which are compatible with a periodic tenancy and do not include any provision for re-entry or forfeiture.