Section 51A — Landlord which is body corporate: liability of directors etc

(1) [F1 This section applies where—]

(a) [F1 a landlord which is a body corporate has committed an offence to which this Chapter applies, and]

(b) [F1 the offence—]

(i) [F1 was committed with the consent or connivance of a relevant person in relation to the body corporate, or of a person purporting to act in the capacity of a relevant person in relation to the body corporate, or]

(ii) [F1 was a specified offence and was attributable to any neglect on the part of such a person.]

(2) [F1 That person, as well as the body corporate, is treated for the purposes of this Chapter as having committed the offence.]

(3) [F1 In this Chapter a reference to the landlord includes that person.]

(4) [F1 In this section—“relevant person” means— (a) in relation to a body corporate other than one the affairs of which are managed by its members, a director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the body; (b) in relation to a body corporate the affairs of which are managed by its members, a member who exercises functions of management with respect to it; “specified offence” means an offence under— (a) section 1 (2) of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977; (b) section 16J (2) or (3) of the Housing Act 1988; (c) section 30 (1), 32(1), 72(1) or 95(1) of the Housing Act 2004; (d) section 21 of this Act; (e) section 67(1) or 92(2) of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.]

Amendment notes

1. F1 S. 51A inserted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), ss. 104, 145(1)(7) (with s. 138); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 3(k) (with reg. 11)