Housing Act 2004

Housing Act 1985 (c. 68)

20 For section 300 (purchase of houses liable to be demolished or closed) substitute—

“300 “Purchase of houses liable to be demolished or to be subject to a prohibition order

(1) Where—

(a) the local housing authority would be required under section 5 of the Housing Act 2004 to make a demolition order under section 265(1) or (2) of this Act in respect of a dwelling, a house in multiple occupation or a building containing one or more flats, and

(b) it appears to them that the dwelling, house in multiple occupation or, as the case may be, building is or can be rendered capable of providing accommodation of a standard which is adequate for the time being,

they may purchase it instead.

(2) Where—

(a) the local housing authority would be required under section 5 of the Housing Act 2004 to make a relevant prohibition order in respect of a dwelling, a house in multiple occupation or a building containing one or more flats, and

(b) it appears to them that the dwelling, house in multiple occupation or, as the case may be, building is or can be rendered capable of providing accommodation of a standard which is adequate for the time being,

they may purchase it instead.

(3) In subsection (2) “relevant prohibition order” means a prohibition order under section 20 of the Housing Act 2004 which imposes in relation to the whole of the dwelling, house in multiple occupation or building a prohibition on its use for all purposes other than any purpose approved by the authority.

(4) Where an authority have determined to purchase any premises under subsection (1)—

(a) they shall serve a notice of their determination on the persons on whom they would have been required by section 268(1) to serve a copy of a demolition order, and

(b) sections 268(4) and 269(1), (2), (3) and (6) (operative date and right of appeal) apply to such a notice as they apply to a demolition order.

(5) Where an authority have determined to purchase any premises under subsection (2)—

(a) they shall serve a notice of their determination on the persons on whom they would have been required by Part 1 of Schedule 2 to the Housing Act 2004 (service of prohibition orders) to serve a copy of the relevant prohibition order; and

(b) section 24 of that Act and Parts 1 and 3 of that Schedule (operative date, right of appeal etc.) apply to such a notice as they apply to a prohibition order which is not suspended or to appeals against such an order (as the case may be).

(6) At any time after the notice has become operative the authority may purchase the dwelling, house in multiple occupation or building by agreement or be authorised by the Secretary of State to purchase it compulsorily.

(7) This section does not apply where section 304(1) applies (listed building or building protected pending listing).”