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UK Law Reference
Housing Act 1988

Housing Act 1988 — full text by section

Consolidated text as published on legislation.gov.uk, snapshot 2026-08-24. Read the Act on legislation.gov.uk

185 sections. Default extent: E+W+S.

  1. s.1Assured tenancies.(E+W)
  2. s.1AApplication of Chapters 1, 2 and 3 of this Part to dwelling in Wales
  3. s.2Letting of a dwelling-house together with other land.
  4. s.3Tenant sharing accommodation with persons other than landlord.
  5. s.4Certain sublettings not to exclude any part of sub-lessor’s premises from assured tenancy.
  6. s.4AAssured tenancies to be periodic with rent period not exceeding a month
  7. s.4BAssured tenancy: prohibition of rent in advance (except initial rent)
  8. s.5Security of tenure.(E+W)
  9. s.6Fixing of terms of statutory periodic tenancy.
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  10. s.6ADemotion because of anti-social behaviour
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  11. s.7Orders for possession.(E+W)
  12. s.8Notice of proceedings for possession.(E+W)
  13. s.8ZADisapplication of conditions where notice dispensed with
  14. s.8AAdditional notice requirements: ground of domestic violence.
  15. s.9Extended discretion of court in possession claims.(E+W)
  16. s.9AProceedings for possession on non-absolute grounds: anti-social behaviour
  17. s.10Special provisions applicable to shared accommodation.
  18. s.10APower to order transfer of tenancy in certain cases
  19. s.11Payment of removal expenses by social landlords in certain cases.
  20. s.11APossession on ground 6B: compensation of tenant
  21. s.12Compensation for misrepresentation or concealment.
  22. s.13Increases of rent under assured periodic tenancies tenancies other than relevant low-cost tenancies.(E+W)
  23. s.13AIncreases of rent under relevant low-cost tenancies
  24. s.13BChallenge to validity of notice to increase rent
  25. s.14Determination of open-market rent by tribunal.(E+W)
  26. s.14ZAEffect of determination: rent payable
  27. s.14ZBEffect of determination: proposed new rent
  28. s.14ZCRepayment of rent paid for days after end of tenancy
  29. s.14AInterim increase before 1st April 1994 of rent under assured periodic tenancies in certain cases where landlord liable for council tax
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  30. s.14BInterim determination of rent by the appropriate tribunal
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  31. s.15Limited prohibition on assignment etc. without consent.
  32. s.15ALoss of assured tenancy status
  33. s.16Access for repairs.
  34. s.16ARequesting consent to keep a pet
  35. s.16BRequests for consent to keep a pet: further provision
  36. s.16DDuty of landlord and contractor to give statement of terms etc
  37. s.16EOther duties
  38. s.16FExceptions from letting and marketing prohibitions
  39. s.16GInterpretation of terms related to marketing in section 16E
  40. s.16HLandlords acting through others
  41. s.16IFinancial penalties
  42. s.16JOffences
  43. s.16KFinancial penalties as an alternative to prosecution under section 16J
  44. s.16LFinancial penalties: supplementary and interpretation
  45. s.16MDuties of landlords etc, penalties and offences: interpretation
  46. s.16NGuarantor not liable for rent payable after tenant’s death
  47. s.16PSection 16N: application and interpretation
  48. s.17Succession to assured tenancy.(E+W)
  49. s.18Provisions as to reversions on assured tenancies.
  50. s.19Restriction on levy of distress for rent.(E+W)
  51. s.19AAssured shorthold tenancies: post-Housing Act 1996 tenancies.
    Repealed
  52. s.20Assured shorthold tenancies: pre-Housing Act 1996 tenancies.
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  53. s.20APost-Housing Act 1996 tenancies: duty of landlord to provide statement as to terms of tenancy.
    Repealed
  54. s.20BDemoted assured shorthold tenancies
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  55. s.20CAssured shorthold tenancies following demoted tenancies
    Repealed
  56. s.20DAssured shorthold tenancies following family intervention tenancies
    Repealed
  57. s.21Recovery of possession on expiry or termination of assured shorthold tenancy.
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  58. s.21ACompliance with prescribed legal requirements
    Repealed
  59. s.21BRequirement for landlord to provide prescribed information
    Repealed
  60. s.21CRepayment of rent where tenancy ends before end of a period
    Repealed
  61. s.22Reference of excessive rents to appropriate tribunal.
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  62. s.23Termination of tribunal’s functions.
    Repealed
    (E+W)
  63. s.24Assured agricultural occupancies.(E+W)
  64. s.24AOpting out
  65. s.25Security of tenure.
  66. s.26Rehousing of agricultural workers etc.
  67. s.27Damages for unlawful eviction.
  68. s.28The measure of damages.
  69. s.29Offences of harassment.
  70. s.30Variation of scope of 1977 ss. 3 and 4.
  71. s.31Excluded tenancies and licences.
  72. s.32Notice to quit etc.
  73. s.33Interpretation of Chapter IV and the 1977 Act.
  74. s.34New protected tenancies and agricultural occupancies restricted to special cases.(E+W)
  75. s.35Removal of special regimes for tenancies of housing associations etc.(E+W)
  76. s.36New restricted contracts limited to transitional cases.(E+W)
  77. s.37No further assured tenancies under Housing Act 1980.
  78. s.38Transfer of existing tenancies from public to private sector.(E+W)
  79. s.39Statutory tenants: succession.(E+W)
  80. s.40Jurisdiction of county courts.(E+W)
  81. s.41Rent assessment committees: procedure and information powers.(E+W)
  82. s.41AAmounts attributable to services.(E+W)
  83. s.41BProvision of information as to exemption from council tax(E+W)
  84. s.42Information as to determinations of rents in Wales.(E+W)
  85. s.42AInformation as to determination of rents in England
  86. s.43Powers of local authorities for purposes of giving information.
  87. s.44Application to Crown Property.
  88. s.45Interpretation of Part I.(E+W)
  89. s.46(no heading)
    Omitted
  90. s.47(no heading)
    Omitted
  91. s.48(no heading)
    Omitted
  92. s.49(no heading)
    Omitted
  93. s.502 versionsHousing association grants.(E+W)
  94. s.512 versionsRevenue deficit grants.(E+W)
  95. s.522 versionsRecovery etc. of grants.(E+W)
  96. s.532 versionsDeterminations under Part II.(E+W)
  97. s.542 versionsTax relief grants.(E+W)
  98. s.55Surplus rental income.
  99. s.56(no heading)
    Omitted
  100. s.572 versionsDelegation of certain functions.(E+W)
  101. s.58Application of Housing Acts to certain transactions.(S)
  102. s.592 versionsInterpretation of Part II and amendments of Housing Associations Act 1985.(E+W)
  103. s.60Housing action trust areas.
  104. s.61Consultation and publicity.(E+W)
  105. s.62Housing action trusts.
  106. s.63Objects and general powers of housing action trusts.(E+W)
  107. s.64The housing action trust’s proposals for its area.(E+W)
  108. s.65Housing action trust as housing authority etc.(E+W)
  109. s.66Planning control.(E+W)
  110. s.67Housing action trust as planning authority.(E+W)
  111. s.68Public health.
  112. s.69Highways.(E+W)
  113. s.70(no heading)
    Omitted
    (E+W)
  114. s.71Power to give financial assistance.
  115. s.72Directions as to exercise of functions.
  116. s.73Transfer of functions.
  117. s.74Transfer of land and other property to housing action trusts.(E+W)
  118. s.75Supplementary provisions as to transfer orders.(E+W)
  119. s.76Vesting by order in housing action trust.(E+W)
  120. s.77Acquisition by housing action trust.
  121. s.78Supplementary provisions as to vesting, acquisition and compensation.(E+W)
  122. s.79Disposal of land by housing action trusts.(E+W)
  123. s.80Disposals made without consent.
  124. s.81Consent required for certain subsequent disposals.(E+W)
  125. s.82Provision of legal assistance to tenants after disposal.(E+W)
  126. s.83Application of Parts IV and V of Housing Act 1985.
  127. s.84Provisions applicable to disposals of dwelling-houses subject to secure tenancies.(E+W)
  128. s.84ATransfer by order of certain dwelling-houses let on secure tenancies.(E+W)
  129. s.85Rents generally.
  130. s.86Increase of rent where tenancy not secure.(E+W)
  131. s.87Agency agreements.
  132. s.88Dissolution of housing action trust.(E+W)
  133. s.89Supply of goods and services.(E+W)
  134. s.90Information(E+W)
  135. s.91(no heading)
  136. s.92Interpretation of Part III.(E+W)
  137. s.93Right conferred by Part IV.(E+W)
  138. s.94Persons by whom right may be exercised.(E+W)
  139. s.95Property excluded from right.(E+W)
  140. s.96Application to exercise right.(E+W)
  141. s.97Information etc. for applicant.(E+W)
  142. s.98Determination of property to be included.(E+W)
  143. s.99Determination of purchase price.(E+W)
  144. s.100Tenants continuing as tenants of landlord.(E+W)
  145. s.101Tenancies granted after relevant date.(E+W)
  146. s.102Consultations by applicant.(E+W)
  147. s.103Notice by applicant of intention to proceed.(E+W)
  148. s.104Duty to complete and consequences of completion.(E+W)
  149. s.105Consent required for subsequent disposals.(E+W)
  150. s.106Service of information, advice and assistance.(E+W)
  151. s.107Power of Corporation to provide legal assistance to tenants in relation to acquisitions.(E+W)
  152. s.108Registration of title and related matters.(E+W)
  153. s.109Public open space etc.(E+W)
  154. s.110Extension etc. of relevant periods.(E+W)
  155. s.111Power to prescribe forms etc.(E+W)
  156. s.112Orders and regulations.(E+W)
  157. s.113Jurisdiction of county court.(E+W)
  158. s.114Interpretation of Part IV.(E+W)
  159. s.115Premiums on long leases.(E+W)
  160. s.116Repairing obligations in short leases.(E+W)
  161. s.117Certain tenancies excluded from bankrupt’s estate(E+W)
  162. s.118Certain tenancies excluded from debtor’s estate: Scotland.
  163. s.119Amendment of Landlord and Tenant Act 1987.(E+W)
  164. s.120Appointment etc. of rent officers.
  165. s.121(no heading)
    Omitted
    (E+W)
  166. s.122Variation of cost floor for right to buy discount.(E+W)
  167. s.123Amendment of Schedule 5 to Housing Act 1985.(E+W)
  168. s.124Right to buy: tenant’s sanction for landlord’s delays.(E+W)
  169. s.125Restriction on letting etc. of certain houses in National Parks etc.(E+W)
  170. s.126Restriction on disposal of dwelling-houses in National Parks etc. acquired under the right to buy.(E+W)
  171. s.127Preserved right to buy.(E+W)
  172. s.128Preservation of right to buy on disposal to private sector landlord: Scotland.(E+W)
  173. s.129Schemes for payments to assist local housing authority tenants to obtain other accomodation.(E+W)
  174. s.130Repair notices.(E+W)
  175. s.131Letting conditions applicable to improvement grants etc.
  176. s.132Consents to disposals of housing stock and application of receipts.
  177. s.133Consent required for certain subsequent disposals.(E+W)
  178. s.134Consent required for certain subsequent disposals: Scotland.(E+W)
  179. s.135Consultation before disposal: Scotland.(E+W)
  180. s.136(no heading)
    Omitted
  181. s.137Codes of practice in field of rented housing.
  182. s.138Financial provisions.
  183. s.139Application to Isles of Scilly.
  184. s.140Amendments and repeals.
  185. s.141Short title, commencement and extent.