UK Act of Parliament
1996
United Kingdom
Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996
At a glance
What's here
32 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 10
- Landlord 4
- Employer 2
- Contractor 2
- Client 1
- Licence Holder 1
- Occupier 1
Plus 11 non-business duties on Crown ministers, regulators, local authorities or tribunals — shown collapsed under each section below.
Relevant guidance
Practical guides for businesses affected by this Act, ordered by how closely they engage with it.
Direct — cites this Act
1 guidesOther Acts binding the same actors
For each actor bound by this Act, the other UK Acts that bind them most often. Useful for understanding the full compliance landscape facing each role.
Any Person also bound by 2338 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 169 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 144 duties
- Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 2016 101 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 95 duties
Landlords also bound by 216 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 2016 74 duties
- Housing Act 1985 1985 53 duties
- Housing Act 1996 1996 30 duties
- The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (England) Regulations 2003 2003 27 duties
- The Service Charges (Consultation Requirements) (Wales) Regulations 2004 2004 26 duties
Employers also bound by 694 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Income Tax (Pay As You Earn) Regulations 2003 2003 236 duties
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 1998 120 duties
- TULRCA 1992 1992 72 duties
- Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 (current NI employment law) 1996 52 duties
- Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003 2003 50 duties
Contractors also bound by 178 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The National Health Service (Personal Medical Services Agreements) Regulations 2015 2015 137 duties
- The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations 2015 2015 134 duties
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 2015 114 duties
- The National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Wales) Regulations 2023 2023 93 duties
- The Health and Personal Social Services (General Medical Services Contracts) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2004 2004 87 duties
Clients also bound by 65 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 2015 32 duties
- The Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2025 2025 19 duties
- Building (Higher-Risk Buildings Procedures) (England) Regulations 2023 2023 17 duties
- Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012 2012 14 duties
- Building Regulations 2010 2010 12 duties
Licence Holders also bound by 221 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Petroleum (Current Model Clauses) Order 1999 1999 317 duties
- The Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004 2004 123 duties
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 76 duties
- Space Industry Regulations 2021 2021 68 duties
- The Petroleum (Production) (Landward Areas) Regulations 1991 1991 65 duties
Occupiers also bound by 259 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 2021 39 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 34 duties
- The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 1995 34 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 23 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 18 duties
What this Act requires
Sections that create concrete duties on businesses or carry penalties. Procedural and definitional sections are folded into the “Browse other sections” expander at the bottom of each group. Click any section title to read the source text on legislation.gov.uk.
Part I — Grants, &c. for renewal of private sector housing
Disabled facilities grants: owner’s and tenant’s applications.
- Establish legal interest in land when applying for a Disabled Facilities Grant Any Person
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must verify applicant eligibility for Disabled Facilities Grants Local authority
Disabled facilities grants: certificate required in case of owner’s application.
- Submit owner's certificate with disabled facilities grant application Landlord
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authority must check for an owner's certificate before processing a grant Local authority
Disabled facilities grants: certificates required in case of tenant’s application.
- Provide owner’s certificate for disabled facilities grant applications Landlord
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must require certificates for tenant grant applications Local authority
Certificates required in case of occupier’s application
- Submit required certificates with houseboat or caravan grant applications Occupier
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must require certificates for occupier grant applications Local authority
Disabled facilities grants: purposes for which grant must or may be given.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local housing authority must approve grants for disability adaptations Local authority
Disabled facilities grants: approval of application.
- Show that disabled‑facility works are necessary, appropriate and practicable before applying Landlord
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local housing authority must approve or reject disabled facilities grants Local authority
Payment of grants: general.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must pay approved housing grants Local authority
Qualifying buildings.
- Confirm buildings meet qualifying criteria for a group repair scheme Any Person
- Ensure buildings in a group repair scheme meet qualifying conditions Client
Certificate of completion date.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local housing authority must issue a certificate of completion for repair works Local authority
Condition as to payment of balance of cost on disposal.
- Pay the balance of repair costs if you sell the property during the protected period Landlord
- Repay repair costs if you sell your property within the protected period Any Person
Conditions as to occupation.
- Comply with occupation conditions in a group repair scheme Any Person
- Maintain property occupation and provide evidence on request Any Person
Disabled persons.
Amended 11 timesMinor definitions: Part I.
Amended 4 timesTransitional provisions.
Amended 1 timeBrowse 90 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Grants for improvements and repairs, &c.
Applications for grants.
Ineligible applicants.
The age of the property.
Excluded descriptions of works.
Defective dwellings.
Renovation grants: owner’s applications and tenant’s applications.
Renovation grants: certificates required in case of owner’s application.
Renovation grants: certificates required in case of tenant’s application.
Renovation grants: prior qualifying period.
Prior qualifying period: the ownership or tenancy condition.
Renovation grants: purposes for which grant may be given.
Renovation grants: approval of application.
Common parts grants: occupation of flats by occupying tenants.
Common parts grants: landlord’s and tenants’ applications.
Common parts grants: certificate required to accompany application.
Common parts grants: purposes for which grant may be given.
Common parts grants: approval of application.
Disabled facilities grants: the disabled occupant.
HMO grants: the interest of the applicant in the property.
HMO grants: certificate required to accompany application.
HMO grants: purposes for which grant may be given.
HMO grants: approval of application.
Restriction on grants for works already begun.
Means testing in case of application by owner-occupier or tenant.
Determination of amount of grant in case of landlord’s application.
Apportionment in case of tenants’ application for common parts grant.
Power to specify maximum amount of grant.
Decision and notification.
Delayed payment of mandatory grant.
Payment of grants: conditions as to carrying out of the works.
Payment of grants: conditions as to contractors employed.
Payment of grant to contractor.
Applicant ceasing to be entitled before payment of grant.
Change of circumstances affecting disabled occupant.
Cases in which grants may be re-calculated, withheld or repaid.
Repayment where applicant not entitled to grant.
Grant conditions: introductory.
Condition for repayment on disposal: renovation grants.
Condition for repayment on disposal: common parts grants.
Condition for repayment on disposal: HMO grants.
Condition as to owner-occupation: renovation grants.
Condition as to availability for letting: renovation grants.
Conditions as to occupation: HMO grants.
Conditions as to repayment in case of other compensation, &c.
Power to impose other conditions with consent of Secretary of State.
Meaning of relevant disposal.
Meaning of exempt disposal.
Cessation of conditions on repayment of grant, &c.
Provisions relating to death of applicant.
Power of local housing authority to carry out works which would attract grant.
Minor definitions: Chapter I.
.
Group repair schemes.
Scheme works.
Approval of scheme by Secretary of State.
Persons eligible to participate in group repair scheme.
Scheme consent and restriction on works.
Contributions by participants.
Variation of group repair scheme.
Conditions of participation: general.
Meaning of relevant disposal and exempt disposal.
Payment of balance of cost, &c: cessation of conditions.
Power of Secretary of State to modify operation of Chapter.
Index of defined expressions: Chapter II.
Home repair assistance.
Entitlement to home repair assistance.
Assistance in respect of house-boats and mobile homes.
Power to make further provision by regulations.
Index of defined expressions: Chapter III.
Deferred action notices.
Service of deferred action notices.
Appeals against deferred action notices.
Review of deferred action notices.
Guidance by Secretary of State.
Unfitness for human habitation &c.: power to improve enforcement procedures.
Unfitness for human habitation, &c.: power to charge for enforcement action.
Recovery of charge for enforcement action.
Power to prescribe forms.
Minor definitions: Chapter IV.
Index of defined expressions: Chapter IV.
Contributions by the Secretary of State.
Recovery of contributions.
Consent of the Secretary of State.
Parsonages, charities, &c.
Meaning of “reasonable repair”.
Fitness for human habitation.
Members of a person’s family and connected persons.
Meaning of “owner" of dwelling.
Consequential amendments: Part I.
Part II — Construction contracts
Meaning of “construction operations".
Amended 1 timeProvisions not applicable to contract with residential occupier.
Amended 1 timePower to disapply provisions of this Part
Amended 1 timeProvisions applicable only to agreements in writing.
Amended 1 timeRight to refer disputes to adjudication.
Amended 12 times- Include adjudication clause in construction contracts Contractor
- Include mandatory adjudication rights in construction contracts Any Person
Adjudication costs: effectiveness of provision
Amended 12 timesEntitlement to stage payments.
Amended 1 time- Enable stage payments for construction projects lasting 45 days or more Any Person
- Pay contractors on agreed stage payments Any Person
Dates for payment.
Amended 6 timesPayment notices: contractual requirements
Amended 6 timesPayment notices: payee's notice in default of payer's notice
Amended 6 timesRequirement to pay notified sum.
Amended 1 timeRight to suspend performance for non-payment.
Amended 5 timesProhibition of conditional payment provisions.
Amended 3 timesThe Scheme for Construction Contracts.
Amended 1 time- Ensure your construction contract includes payment and adjudication terms Contractor
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State and Lord Advocate must create the Scheme for Construction Contracts Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Construction contracts.
Service of notices, &c.
Reckoning periods of time.
Crown application.
Part III
Registration.
- Maintain your registration on the Register of Architects Employer
- Register as an architect and pay annual retention fees Licence Holder
Code of practice.
- Ensure compliance with the Board’s code of practice Employer
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- ARB must maintain and publish a Code of Conduct for architects Statutory regulator
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
The Board and its committees.
Registrar and staff.
Discipline.
Offence of practising while not registered.
The Education Fund.
Supplementary.
Part IV — Grants &c. for regeneration, development and relocation
Power of Secretary of State to give financial assistance for regeneration and development.
Amended 1 timeRegeneration and development: forms of assistance.
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must not buy company shares when providing assistance Crown / Minister / Government department
Regeneration and development: terms on which assistance is given.
- Comply with the terms of regeneration and development grants Any Person
- Comply with terms of government financial assistance Any Person
Regeneration and development: consequential amendment.
Amended 1 timeRelocation grants: liability to repay is a charge on dwelling.
Amended 1 timeBrowse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Regeneration and development: Welsh Development Agency.
Resolution by local housing authority to pay relocation grants.
Relocation grants: applications and payments.
Relocation grants: qualifying persons and qualifying dwellings.
Relocation grants: amount.
Relocation grants: condition for repayment on disposal.
Relocation grants: conditions as to owner-occupation.
Relocation grants: cessation of conditions on repayment of grant, &c.
Relocation grants: contributions by the Secretary of State.
Minor definitions relating to relocation grants.
Part V — Miscellaneous and general provisions
The Commission for the New Towns: orders for dissolution.
Amended 1 timeOrders, regulations and directions.
Amended 2 timesRepeals and revocations.
Amended 1 timeExtent.
Amended 2 timesBrowse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Existing housing grants: meaning of exempt disposal
Home energy efficiency schemes.
Urban development corporations: pre-dissolution transfers.
Housing action trusts: orders for dissolution.
Corresponding provision for Northern Ireland.
Commencement.
Short title.
Schedules
Browse 53 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
Repeals and Revocations
Private sector renewal: consequential amendments
(1) Section 116 of the Rent Act 1977 (court order...
In section 605 of the Housing Act 1985 (consideration by...
(1) In subsection (1) of section 20A of the Landlord...
In section 21 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985...
In section 121(1) of the Housing Act 1988 (rent officers’...
In section 93(5) of the Local Government and Housing Act...
(1) Section 169 of the Local Government and Housing Act...
In section 47(4) of the Housing Act 1985 (limitation of...
In section 48(3A) of the Housing Act 1985 (information as...
(1) In section 100(2) of the Housing Act 1985 (power...
(1) In section 101(1) of the Housing Act 1985 (rent...
In section 190A of the Housing Act 1985 (repair notices...
(1) In section 244 of the Housing Act 1985 (environmental...
(1) In subsection (2)(b) of section 255 of the Housing...
In section 535(1)(a) of the Housing Act 1985 (exclusion of...
New First Schedule to the 1931 Act
This is the Schedule to be substituted for the First...
(1) Section 15 of the 1931 Act (supply of regulations...
(1) Section 16 of the 1931 Act (service of documents)...
(1) Section 17 of the 1931 Act (defence for certain...
For section 18(2) of the 1931 Act (application to Northern...
(1) Section 1A of the 1938 Act (visiting EC architects)...
In section 3 of the 1938 Act (offence of practising...
In section 5 of the 1938 Act (construction and citation),...
For section 6(1) of the 1938 Act (application to Northern...
In section 6 of the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955...
In section 52(1) of the Cathedrals Measure 1963 (interpretation), in...
(1) Section 2 of the 1931 Act (interpretation) is amended...
In section 20(1) of the Care of Cathedrals Measure 1990...
(1) Part I of the First Schedule to the 1931...
Where before the appointed day a person has duly applied...
Examinations in architecture which immediately before the appointed day were...
Section 6B of the 1931 Act shall have effect as...
The first reference to the Board in section 7A(1) of...
Where before the appointed day— (a) the Discipline Committee has...
(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), the provisions substituted by section...
(1) Where a person’s name has been removed from the...
A person may appeal under section 9 of the 1931...
(1) Section 3 of the 1931 Act (constitution and functions...
Section 1A(6)(b) of the 1938 Act shall have effect as...
The amendments made in sections 1 and 3 of the...
The repeal made in section 3 of the 1938 Act...
If the transfer of the assets of the Fund takes...
(1) In this Part of this Schedule—
Nothing in this Schedule prejudices the operation of section 16...
(1) Section 6A of the 1931 Act (European qualifications) is...
(1) Section 7A of the 1931 Act (removal of name...
(1) Section 9 of the 1931 Act (right of appeal...
In section 11 of the 1931 Act (removal of name...
In section 12 of the 1931 Act (penalty for obtaining...
For section 13 of the 1931 Act (regulations) substitute— Rules....
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