Housing Associations Act 1985

Miscellaneous

33Recognition of central association

(1)The Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, recognise for the purposes of this section a central association or other body established for the purposes of promoting the formation and extension of housing associations and of giving them advice and assistance.

(2)The Secretary of State may make a grant in aid of the expenses of the association or body of such amount as he may, with the approval of the Treasury, determine.

34Provision of land by county councils

(1)Where a housing association wishes to erect houses which in the opinion of the Secretary of State are required and the local housing authority in whose district the houses are proposed to be built are unwilling to acquire land with a view to selling or leasing it to the association, the county council, on the application of the association, may acquire land for that purpose.

(2)For that purpose the county council may exercise all the powers of a local housing authority under Part II of the [1985 c. 68.] Housing Act 1985 (provision of housing) in regard to the acquisition and disposal of land ; and the provisions of that Act as to the acquisition of land by local housing authorities for the purposes of that Part apply accordingly.

35Housing trusts: power to transfer housing to local housing authority

(1)A housing trust may—

(a)sell or lease to the local housing authority the houses provided by the trust, or

(b)make over to the authority the management of the houses.

(2)So far as subsection (1) confers power to dispose of land—

(a)it does not apply to registered housing associations (on whom power to dispose of land is conferred by section 8);

(b)it has effect subject to section 9 (dispositions requiring consent of Housing Corporation) where the housing trust is an unregistered housing association and the land is grant-aided land (as defined in Schedule 1); and

(c)it has effect subject to section 29 of the [1960 c. 58.] Charities Act 1960 (dispositions which cannot be made without an order of the court or the Charity Commissioners) where the housing trust is a charity.

36Housing trusts: functions of Secretary of State with respect to legal proceedings

(1)If it appears to the Secretary of State—

(a)that the institution of legal proceedings is requisite or desirable with respect to any property belonging to a housing trust, or

(b)that the expediting of any such legal proceedings is requisite or desirable,

he may certify the case to the Attorney-General who may institute legal proceedings or intervene in legal proceedings already instituted in such manner as he thinks proper in the circumstances.

(2)Before preparing a scheme with reference to property belonging to a housing trust, the court or body which is responsible for making the scheme shall communicate with the Secretary of State and consider any recommendations made by him with reference to the proposed scheme.