社会住房法
社会住房分配、无家可归者义务、购买权和社会房东监管。
简介
社会住房法规范公共住房的分配和对无家可归者的义务。
核心原则
Allocation Schemes — Local authorities must have an allocation scheme for determining priority (Housing Act 1996, Part VI). Reasonable preference categories include homelessness, overcrowding, and medical need.
Homelessness Duties — Under Part VII Housing Act 1996 (as amended by HRA 2017), authorities owe duties to prevent homelessness, relieve homelessness, and provide accommodation for those in priority need.
Priority Need — Includes pregnant women, families with children, vulnerable persons, and those homeless due to an emergency.
Intentional Homelessness — A person is intentionally homeless if they deliberately did or failed to do something that caused loss of accommodation.
Right to Buy — Secure tenants of councils can buy their home at a discount (Housing Act 1985, Part V). Discount depends on length of tenancy.
Secure Tenancies — Council tenants have security of tenure; can only be evicted on specified grounds with a court order.
Regulation — The Regulator of Social Housing sets standards for social landlords on governance, financial viability, and consumer standards.
关键法规
Housing Act 1985
Housing Act 1996
Homelessness Reduction Act 2017
重要判例
Nzolameso v Westminster City Council
[2015] UKSC 22
Hotak v Southwark LBC
[2015] UKSC 30
常见情景
Facing homelessness and approaching the council
The council has duties to assess, prevent, and relieve homelessness. If in priority need and not intentionally homeless, the council must secure accommodation. Right to review and appeal.
Exercising the right to buy
Secure tenant with at least 3 years' qualifying tenancy can apply. Discount up to £87,200 (or £116,200 in London). Council has 8 weeks to respond.