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Statutory Instruments made by the National Assembly for Wales


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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS


2006 No. 1535 (W.152)(C.54)

HOUSING, WALES

The Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) (Wales) Order 2006

  Made 13 June 2006 

The National Assembly for Wales, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by sections 76(6), 250(2) and 270(4), (5) and (10) of the Housing Act 2004[1], makes the following Order:

Title, interpretation and application
     1. —(1) The title of this Order is the Housing Act 2004 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provisions and Savings) (Wales) Order 2006.

    (2) In this Order—

    (3) This Order applies in relation to Wales.

Provisions coming into force on the commencement date
     2. The following provisions of the 2004 Act come into force on the commencement date—

Transitional provisions and savings
     3. The Schedule has effect for the purpose of making transitional provisions and savings in connection with the coming into force of provisions mentioned in article 2.



Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales under section 66(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998[
17].


D. Elis-Thomas
The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly

13 June 2006



SCHEDULE
Article 3



PART 1

ACTION UNDER THE 1985 ACT RELATING TO UNFITNESS

Repair notices
     1. —(1) A repair notice served under section 189 or 190 of the 1985 Act before the commencement date ceases to have effect on that date unless it is a notice to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

    (2) This sub-paragraph applies to a repair notice—

    (3) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2007, the repeal of sections 189 to 208, 345, 398, 604 and 604A of, and Schedule 10 to, the 1985 Act do not have effect in relation to a repair notice to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

    (4) Where—

the local housing authority must take the finding into account if they subsequently consider taking action of a kind mentioned in section 5(2) or 7(2) of the 2004 Act in respect of the premises concerned.

    (5) A repair notice to which sub-paragraph (2) applies ceases to have effect on 16 June 2007 except in relation to anything done in connection with the notice before that date.

    (6) The repeal of section 191(3A)(b) of the 1985 Act does not have effect in relation to an order made by a court under that paragraph before that date.

    (7) The amendment made by paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 15 to the 2004 Act (which amends the Land Compensation Act 1973) does not have effect in relation to a repair notice to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

Closing orders
     2. —(1) A closing order made under section 264 or 368(4) of the 1985 Act before the commencement date ceases to have effect on that date unless it is an order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

    (2) This sub-paragraph applies to a closing order—

    (3) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2008, the following does not have effect in relation to a closing order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies—

    (4) Where—

the local housing authority must take the finding into account if they subsequently consider taking action of a kind mentioned in section 5(2) or 7(2) of the 2004 Act in respect of the premises concerned.

    (5) A closing order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies ceases to have effect on 16 June 2008 except in relation to anything done in connection with the order before that date.

    (6) The amendments made by—

do not have effect in relation to a closing order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

Demolition orders
     3. —(1) A demolition order made under section 265 or 279 of the 1985 Act before the commencement date ceases to have effect on that date unless it is an order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

    (2) This sub-paragraph applies to a demolition order—

    (3) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2008, the following do not have effect in relation to a demolition order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies—

    (4) Where—

the local housing authority must take the finding into account if they subsequently consider taking action of a kind mentioned in section 5(2) or 7(2) of the 2004 Act in respect of the premises concerned.

    (5) During the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)—

    (6) A demolition order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies cease to have effect on 16 June 2008 except in relation to anything done in connection with the order before that date.

    (7) The amendments made by—

do not have effect in relation to a demolition order to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

Obstructive building orders
     4. An obstructive building order served under section 284 of the 1985 Act before the commencement date ceases to have effect on that date except in relation to anything done in connection with the order before that date.

Clearance areas
     5. —(1) The amendments made by section 47 of, and paragraphs 19, 22, 26 and 27 of Schedule 15 to, the 2004 Act do not have effect in relation to an area declared to be a clearance area under section 289(3)(b) of the 1985 Act before the commencement date.

    (2) This sub-paragraph applies where, before the commencement date, a local housing authority—

    (3) Where sub-paragraph (2) applies—

Purchase of houses liable to be demolished or closed
     6. —(1) A notice of determination to purchase premises served under section 300(2)(a) of the 1985 Act before the commencement date ceases to have effect on that date unless it is a notice to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

    (2) This sub-paragraph applies to a notice of determination—

    (3) The amendments made by section 48(2) of, and paragraphs 13, 14, 20, 21, 26 and 27 of Schedule 15 to, the 2004 Act do not have effect in relation to a notice of determination to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

Owner's proposals for re-development
     7. —(1) This paragraph applies in relation to any proposals submitted to a local housing authority under subsection (1) of section 308 of the 1985 Act (approval of owner's proposals for re-development) before the commencement date.

    (2) Where notice under subsection (2) of that section has not been given before that date, the authority ceases to be subject to the requirements of that subsection on and after that date.

    (3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), any notice given under that subsection before that date ceases to have effect except in relation to anything done in connection with it before that date.

    (4) If the authority, on or after that date, consider taking action of a kind mentioned in section 5(2) or 7(2) of the 2004 Act in respect of the premises to which such a notice relates, the authority must, when making their decision, take into account the notice and the extent to which re-development has been proceeded with in accordance with the proposals and within the time-limits specified in the notice (subject to any variation or extension approved by the authority before that date).

Owner's proposals for improvement or alteration
     8. —(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), any proposals submitted by an owner, or certificate issued by a local housing authority, under section 310 of the 1985 Act (owner's improvements or alterations) before the commencement date cease to have effect on that date except in relation to anything done in connection with them before that date.

    (2) The repeal of section 311(2) of the 1985 Act (proposals to be treated as objection to compulsory purchase order) does not have effect in relation to proposals—

before the commencement date.

Authorisation by court of execution of works on unfit premises etc.
     9. The amendments made by section 48(5) of, and paragraphs 25 to 27 of Schedule 15 to, the 2004 Act do not have effect in relation to an application made to the court under section 318 of the 1985 Act before the commencement date.

Deferred action notices etc.
     10. —(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), a deferred action notice served under section 81 of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 ("the 1996 Act") before the commencement date ceases to have effect on that date except in relation to anything done in connection with the notice before that date.

    (2) The repeal of section 86 of the 1996 Act (unfitness for human habitation etc: power to improve enforcement procedures) does not have effect in relation to any appeal brought under section 191 (repair notices) or 269 (closing and demolition orders) of the 1985 Act before the commencement date.

    (3) The repeal of sections 87 (unfitness for human habitation etc: power to charge for enforcement action) and 88 (recovery of charge for enforcement action) do not have effect in relation to—



PART 2

MEASURES RELATING TO HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION UNDER PART 11 OF THE HOUSING ACT 1985

Interpretation of Part
     1. —(1) In this Part, "relevant converted block of flats" means a building or a part of a building which is—

    (2) The repeal of sections 345, 398, 399 and 400 of the 1985 Act (which give meanings of expressions used in Part 11 of the 1985 Act) do not have effect in so far as those sections are relevant to the construction of any provision of this Part which refers to Part 11 of that Act or any provision of that Part 11.

Registration Schemes
     2. —(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), during the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on the date when regulations made by the National Assembly for Wales under section 61(5) of the 2004 Act come into force, the repeal of sections 346, 346A, 346B, 347, 348, 348A to 348G, 350, 351 and 395 to 397 of the 1985 Act do not have effect in relation to any registration scheme which—

in so far as such scheme applies to a relevant converted block of flats.

    (2) No new registration scheme may be made under section 346(1) on or after the commencement date.

    (3) Notwithstanding the repeal of sections 346 and 347 of the 1985 Act, a local housing authority may use the information contained in any register it has compiled and maintained under section 346—

Areas deemed to be designated under section 56 of the 2004 Act
     3. —(1) This sub-paragraph applies to any area for which a local housing authority have made a relevant scheme.

    (2) On the commencement date a local housing authority is deemed to have designated, under section 56(1) of the 2004 Act, each area to which sub-paragraph (1) applies as subject to additional licensing in relation to the HMOs registered under such a scheme.

    (3) A designation deemed to have been made under sub-paragraph (2) comes into force on the commencement date.

    (4) The requirements of sections 56(2) to (6), 57, 58 and 59(1) and (2) of the 2004 Act do not apply in relation to designations that are deemed to have been made under sub-paragraph (2).

    (5) Sub-paragraphs (6), (7) and (8) apply to a designation deemed to have been made under sub-paragraph (2).

    (6) Within the period of three months beginning on the commencement date the local housing authority must publish a notice stating which areas in its district are designated areas as a result of being deemed to be designated areas under sub-paragraph (2) in the manner described in sub-paragraph (7).

    (7) The notice must be published in accordance with regulations made by the National Assembly for Wales under sections 59 and 60 of the 2004 Act.

    (8) Section 60 of the 2004 Act (duration, review and revocation of designation) applies to a designation deemed to have been made under subsection (2) and, for the purposes of subsection (2) of that section, the local housing authority is deemed to have specified 16 June 2009 as the time at which that designation ceases to have effect.

HMOs registered under certain relevant schemes: transitional arrangements relating to introduction of licensing
     4. —(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), this paragraph applies to an HMO which immediately before the commencement date is registered under a relevant scheme and is either—

    (2) This paragraph does not apply to an HMO which is a converted block of flats to which section 257 of the 2004 Act applies.

    (3) A local housing authority is deemed to have granted a licence in respect of a HMO to which this paragraph applies to any person who, before the commencement date, was recorded on the register authorised by the relevant scheme as the person managing the HMO.

    (4) Subject to the following sub-paragraphs, a licence deemed to have been granted under sub-paragraph (3) must—

    (5) The conditions on which such a licence are deemed to have been granted do not include any conditions attaching to a HMO's registration under a relevant scheme which relates to—

    (6) Within the period of three months beginning on the commencement date the local housing authority must—

    (7) Schedule 4 (licences under Parts 2 and 3: mandatory conditions) and Part 1 of Schedule 5 (licences under Parts 2 and 3: procedure and appeals) to the 2004 Act do not apply in relation to a licence deemed to have been granted under sub-paragraph (3).

    (8) Registration of an HMO under a relevant scheme in respect of which a licence is deemed to have been granted under sub-paragraph (3) ceases to have effect on the commencement date.

    (9) The licence holder must not be charged for any costs incurred by the local housing authority taking any action under this paragraph.

Applications for HMO registration outstanding on the commencement date: transitional arrangements
     5. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application for registration under a relevant scheme of a prescribed HMO or a HMO which is situated within an area in respect of which a designation is deemed to have been made under paragraph 3(2)—

    (2) The authority must reach its decision on the application as it would have done if Part 11 of the 1985 Act had not been repealed.

    (3) Where the authority decides that the HMO satisfies the conditions for registration under a relevant scheme, it must not register it but must instead grant a licence to the person specified in the application as the person managing the HMO—

    (4) Where the authority decides that the HMO does not satisfy the conditions for registration under the scheme, it must—

    (5) The licence holder must not be charged for any costs incurred by the local housing authority taking any action under this paragraph.

    (6) Where an applicant to whom sub-paragraph (4) applies has paid a fee for the application for registration under a relevant scheme, the applicant must not be required to pay a fee for the application for a licence under section 63 of the 2004 Act.

Fitness of a house in multiple occupation for the number of occupants
     6. —(1) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on the date when regulations made by the National Assembly for Wales under section 61(5) of the 2004 Act come into force, the repeal of sections 352, 352A or 353, do not have effect in relation to a HMO which is a relevant converted block of flats.

    (2) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2007—

    (3) In relation to an appeal brought under subsection (2) of section 357 of the 1985 Act before the commencement date a decision of a court to vary, or not to revoke, a direction under section 354 of that Act does not have effect.

Overcrowding notices
     7. —(1) A notice served under section 358(1) of the 1985 Act (service of overcrowding notice) before the commencement date ceases to have effect on that date unless it is a notice to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

    (2) This sub-paragraph applies to a notice—

    (3) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2008 the repeal of sections 358 to 364, 395, 396 and 397 of the 1985 Act will not have effect in relation to a notice served to which sub-paragraph (2) applies.

Means of escape from fire
     8. During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2008 the repeal of sections 365, 368, 395, 396 or 397 of the 1985 Act will not have effect in relation to an undertaking accepted by a local housing authority under subsection (2) of section 368 of that Act before the commencement date.

Standards of Management
     9. —(1) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on the date when regulations made by the National Assembly for Wales under section 61(5) of the 2004 Act come into force, the repeal of sections 369, 372, 373 and 378 of the 1985 Act will not have effect in relation to a relevant converted block of flats.

    (2) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2007—

Works carried out by a local housing authority and enforcement
     10. —(1) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on the date when regulations made by the National Assembly for Wales under section 61(5) of the 2004 Act come into force, the repeal of section 375 does not have effect in relation a relevant converted block of flats.

    (2) During the period beginning on the commencement date and ending on 15 June 2008 the repeal of sections 375, 376, 377, 377A and 378 of, and Schedule 10 to, the 1985 Act will not have effect in relation to any notice served under section 352 or 372 of that Act before the commencement date.

Control Orders
     11. —(1) This paragraph applies to a control order made under section 379(1) of the 1985 Act before the commencement date.

    (2) The repeal of sections 379 to 397 of, and Schedule 13 to, the 1985 Act will not have effect in relation to a control order to which this paragraph applies.

    (3) For so long as a control order to which this paragraph applies continues in force on and after the commencement date, the provisions of Part 2 and 3 and Chapter 1 of Part 4 of the 2004 Act will not have effect in relation to the house which is subject to the order.

    (4) This sub-paragraph applies to a house which is subject to a control order to which this paragraph applies if, on the date, or immediately before the date, the order expires or is revoked in accordance with section 392 of the 1985 Act, the house is—

    (5) The local housing authority is not required to make an interim management order under section 102 of the 2004 Act before making a final management order under section 113 of that Act in respect of a house to which sub-paragraph (4) applies.

    (6) Section 113 of the 2004 Act has effect for the purpose of the making of a final management order in respect of a house to which sub-paragraph (4) applies as if-

    (7) Section 114 of the 2004 Act has effect for the purpose of the making of a final management order in respect of a house to which sub-paragraph (4) applies as if—

    (8) A control order to which sub-paragraph 4 applies remains in force until—



EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Order)


This Order is the third Commencement Order made under the Housing Act 2004 ("the Act") and brings further provisions of the Act into force in Wales, subject to the transitional provisions and savings made in the Schedule to the Order.

The Order brings into force on 16 June 2006 various provisions of the Act listed under article 2.

Article 2 brings into force most of the provisions of the following Parts of the Act on 16 June to the extent they are not already in force:

Part 1, which introduces a new system for local housing authorities to assess housing conditions and enforce housing standards. Part 1 replaces Part 6 of the Housing Act 1985 (repair notices) and amends Part 9 of that Act (slum clearance).

Part 2, which provides for the licensing by such authorities of houses in multiple occupation and replaces Part 11 of the Housing Act 1985.

Part 3, which provides for the selective licensing by such authorities of other residential accommodation.

Part 4, which provides for additional control by such authorities in relation to residential accommodation by the making of management orders and empty dwelling management orders and the service of overcrowding notices.

Part 7, which provides for residential property tribunals and contains other supplementary and final provisions for the purposes of the Act.

Article 2 brings into force the remaining provisions of Parts 2 to 4 and those that relate to offences in Parts 2 and 3, the making of rent repayment orders in consequence of operating premises required to be licensed under those Parts which are not licensed and the authorisation by a residential property tribunal of the making of an interim empty dwelling management order under Chapter 2 of Part 4. Article 2 also brings into force minor or consequential amendments in Schedule 15, and repeals in Schedule 16 to the Act which are associated with the other provisions brought into force by the Order.



NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT ORDERS

(This note is not part of the Order)


The following provisions of the Housing Act 2004 have been brought into force in Wales by commencement orders made before the date of this Order:

Provision Date of commencement S.I. Number
Section 4 25 November 2005 2005/3237 (W. 242) (C. 138)
Section 55(1) and (2) and paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (5) 25 November 2005 2005/3237 (W. 242) (C.138)
Sections 56 and 57 25 November 2005 2005/3237 (W. 242) (C. 138)
Sections 79—81 25 November 2005 2005/3237 (W. 242) (C. 138)
Section 179 25 November 2005 2005/3237 (W. 242) (C. 138)
Section 191 14 July 2005 2005/1814 (W. 144) (C. 75)
Sections 192—194 25 November 2005 2005/3237 (W. 242) (C. 138)
Sections 227 and 228 14 July 2005 2005/1814 (W. 144) (C. 75)
Section 237 25 November 2005 2005/3237 (W. 242) (C. 138)
Section 265(1) and Schedule 15(partially) 14 July 2005 2005/1814 (W. 144) (C. 75)
Schedule 12 14 July 2005 2005/1814 (W. 144) (C. 75)


Notes:

[1] 2004 c.34. The powers conferred by section 270(4), (5) and (10) are exercisable, as respects Wales, by the National Assembly for Wales. See the definition of the "appropriate national authority" in section 261(1) of the 2004 Act.back

[2] 1985 c.68.back

[3] So far as a provision of the 2004 Act confers power to make an order or regulations exercisable by the National Assembly for Wales it came into force on the passing of that Act by virtue of section 270(2)(b) of the Act. Some provisions brought into force by this Order have already been brought into force partially by earlier commencement orders.back

[4] 1968 c.55.back

[5] 1973 c.26.back

[6] 1982 c.16.back

[7] 1983 c.34.back

[8] 1985 c.69.back

[9] 1985 c.71.back

[10] 1986 c.31.back

[11] 1988 c.50.back

[12] 1989 c.29.back

[13] 1989 c.42.back

[14] 1996 c.52.back

[15] 1996 c.53.back

[16] 2000 c.38.back

[17] 1998 c.38.back

[18] Section 300(2)(b) of the Housing Act 1985 applies sections 268(2) and 269(1), (2), (3) and (6) of that Act to a notice under section 300 as they apply to a demolition or closing order.back

[19] For the meaning of HMO see section 77 of the 2004 Act.back

[20] By section 346A(2)(a) of the 1985 Act registration under a scheme made under section 346 is for a period of five years from the date of registration.back



Cymraeg (Welsh)



ISBN 0 11 091367 1


 © Crown copyright 2006

Prepared 10 July 2006


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