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UK Law Reference
All sections of Housing Act 1988
1988 c. 50, s.16G

Section 16G — Interpretation of terms related to marketing in section 16E

This version in force from 2026-05-01

Snapshot: 2026-08-24

Reproduced from legislation.gov.uk (Crown Copyright, Open Government Licence v3.0). Amendments made after 2026-08-24 may not be reflected — always check the official text .

(1) [F1 For the purposes of section 16E a person markets a dwelling-house to let on a tenancy when—]

(a) [F1 the person advertises that the dwelling-house is or may be available to let on a tenancy, or]

(b) [F1 in the course of lettings agency work, the person informs any other person that the dwelling is or may be so available.]

(2) [F1 For the purposes of section 16E a person markets a dwelling-house to be occupied under a licence when—]

(a) [F1 the person advertises that the dwelling-house is or may be available to be occupied under a licence, or]

(b) [F1 in the course of lettings agency work, the person informs any other person that the dwelling is or may be so available.]

(3) [F1 But subsections (1)(a) and (2)(a) do not apply in relation to a person who publishes an advertisement in the course of a business that does not involve lettings agency work if the advertisement has been provided by another person.]

(4) [F1 For the purposes of this section, “lettings agency work” means things done by a person in the course of a business in response to instructions received from—]

(a) [F1 a person (“a prospective landlord”) seeking to find another person to occupy a dwelling-house, or]

(b) [F1 a person (“a prospective occupier”) seeking to find a dwelling-house to occupy.]

(5) [F1 However, “lettings agency work” does not include any of the following things when done by a person who does nothing else within subsection (4)—]

(a) [F1 publishing advertisements or disseminating information;]

(b) [F1 providing a means by which a prospective landlord or a prospective occupier can, in response to an advertisement or dissemination of information, make direct contact with a prospective occupier or prospective landlord;]

(c) [F1 providing a means by which a prospective landlord and a prospective occupier can communicate directly with each other.]

(6) [F1 “Lettings agency work” also does not include things of a description, or things done by a person of a description, specified for the purposes of this section in regulations made by the Secretary of State.]

(7) [F1 Regulations under this section—]

(a) [F1 may make different provision for different purposes;]

(b) [F1 are to be made by statutory instrument.]

(8) [F1 A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]

Amendment notes

  1. F1 Ss. 16E-16G inserted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), ss. 13(1), 145(1)(8) (with ss. 138, 146(1), 147(1)(2), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 16, 17) (with power to repeal s. 16F(3)-(5) conferred (27.10.2025) by ss. 13(2), 145(2) of the amending Act); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(a) (with reg. 9)