UK Act of Parliament
2011
United Kingdom
Localism Act 2011
At a glance
Enforced by
What's here
49 compliance obligations, 1 practical guide · 2 statutory instruments
Penalty landscape
1 of 49 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 48 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Who this Act binds
Business-side actors with duties under this Act, ranked by how often they appear.
- Any Person 6
- Occupier 2
- Landlord 1
Plus 40 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 749 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Human Medicines Regulations 2012 2012 110 duties
- Licensing Act 2003 2003 105 duties
- Merchant Shipping Act 1995 1995 97 duties
- Road Traffic Act 1988 1988 95 duties
- Air Navigation Order 2016 2016 86 duties
Occupiers also bound by 101 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (England/Wales comparison) 2005 23 duties
- Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006 2006 21 duties
- Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (England) (No. 2) Order 2006 2006 15 duties
- Nitrate Pollution Prevention Regulations 2015 2015 13 duties
- Highways Act 1980 1980 12 duties
Landlords also bound by 70 other Acts (top 5 shown)
- Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022 2022 59 duties
- Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 2016 33 duties
- Housing Act 1985 1985 31 duties
- Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 2006 14 duties
- Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015 2015 10 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 1 — Local Government
Duty to consider proposals for exercise of powers under sections 15 and 17
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consider and respond to EPB proposals Crown / Minister / Government department
Duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must adopt and maintain a code of conduct for members Local authority
Codes of conduct
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must adopt and publicise a code of conduct for members Local authority
Register of interests
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must maintain and publish a register of member interests Local authority
Disclosure of pecuniary interests on taking office
- Register your financial interests upon taking office Any Person
Pecuniary interests in matters considered at meetings or by a single member
- Disclose financial interests and withdraw from relevant local authority meetings Any Person
- Disclose and register financial interests in local authority matters Any Person
Sensitive interests
- Protect sensitive interests from public disclosure Any Person
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must protect members from violence by withholding interests Local authority
Offences
Unlimited fine- Fail to disclose personal interests or provide false information Any Person
Pay policy statements
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must publish annual pay policy statements Local authority
Guidance
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authorities must follow Secretary of State guidance on pay policy Crown / Minister / Government department
Determinations relating to remuneration etc
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must follow their pay policy statement for chief officer pay Local authority
Browse 36 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Local authority's general power of competence
Boundaries of the general power
Limits on charging in exercise of general power
Limits on doing things for commercial purpose in exercise of general power
Powers to make supplemental provision
Limits on power under section 5(1)
Procedure for orders under section 5
Interpretation of Chapter
General powers of certain fire and rescue authorities
Fire and rescue authorities: charging
Integrated Transport Authorities
Passenger Transport Executives
Economic prosperity boards and combined authorities
Further amendments
Power to transfer local public functions to permitted authorities
Delegation of functions by Ministers to permitted authorities
Transfer schemes
Orders under section 15: procedure
Interpretation of Chapter
New arrangements with respect to governance of English local authorities
New local authority governance arrangements: amendments
Changes to local authority governance in England: transitional provision etc
Timetables for changing English district councils' electoral schemes
Prior indications of view of a matter not to amount to predetermination etc
Amendments of existing provisions
Dispensations from section 31(4)
Delegation of functions by Greater London Authority
Amendment of section 27 following abolition of police authorities
Transitional provision
Supplementary provisions relating to statements
Exercise of functions
Interpretation
Arrangements for provision of services and discharge of functions
Repeal of duties relating to promotion of democracy
Repeal of provisions about petitions to local authorities
Schemes to encourage domestic waste reduction by payments and charges
Part 2
Duty of the Secretary of State to issue a policy statement
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must publish policy on EU financial sanctions and public bodies Crown / Minister / Government department
Establishment of independent panel
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister must establish an independent panel to review EU financial sanctions Crown / Minister / Government department
Matters to be determined before a final notice is given
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister must determine financial liability for EU law infractions Crown / Minister / Government department
Final notices
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Minister must issue a final notice to recover EU financial sanctions Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power to require public authorities to make payments in respect of certain EU financial sanctions
The EU financial sanctions to which Part 2 applies
Meaning of “public authority” and related terms
Designation of public authorities
Warning notices
Interpretation of Part: general
Part 3 — EU financial sanctions: Wales
Duty of the Welsh Ministers to issue a policy statement
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh Ministers must publish policy on EU financial sanctions Crown / Minister / Government department
Establishment of independent panel
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh Ministers must establish an independent panel for EU sanctions Crown / Minister / Government department
Matters to be determined before a final notice is given
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Welsh Ministers must determine responsibility for EU law infractions Crown / Minister / Government department
Browse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Power to require Welsh public authorities to make payments in respect of certain EU financial sanctions
The EU financial sanctions to which Part 3 applies
Meaning of “Welsh public authority” and related terms
Designation of Welsh public authorities
Warning notices
Final notices
Interpretation of Part: general
Part 4 — Non-domestic rates etc
Browse 4 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 5 — Community empowerment
Consideration of expression of interest
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authority must process expressions of interest and run procurement Local authority
Consideration of expression of interest: further provisions
- Agree to any modifications if your expression of interest is changed Any Person
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Relevant authorities must set and publish decision timelines for expressions of interest Statutory regulator
Procedure on community nominations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must process community asset nominations Local authority
Notice of inclusion or removal
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must notify owners when land is listed as a community asset Local authority
Review of decision to include land in list
- Request a review if your property is listed as an asset of community value Occupier
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must review the listing of Assets of Community Value Local authority
List of land nominated by unsuccessful community nominations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must maintain a list of unsuccessful community nominations Local authority
Publication and inspection of lists
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must publish and provide lists of community assets Local authority
Publicising receipt of notice under section 95(2)
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must publicise notices to sell community assets Local authority
Informing owner of request to be treated as bidder
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authority must notify land owners of community bids Local authority
Local land charge
Amended 1 timeEnforcement
Amended 1 timeCo-operation
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must co-operate on cross-boundary land issues Local authority
Crown application
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Crown must comply with land of community value regulations Crown / Minister / Government department
Meaning of “local authority”
Amended 2 timesMeaning of “owner”
Amended 1 timeInterpretation of Chapter: general
Amended 3 timesBrowse 21 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Referendums relating to council tax increases
References to proper accounting practices
Council tax calculations by billing authorities in England
Council tax calculations by major precepting authorities in England
Calculation of council tax requirement by the Greater London Authority
Calculation of basic amount of tax by the Greater London Authority
Council tax calculation by local precepting authorities in England
Council tax: minor and consequential amendments
Council tax revaluations in Wales
Duty to consider expression of interest
Timing of expressions of interest
Supplementary
Provision of advice and assistance
List of assets of community value
Land of community value
Procedure for including land in list
Moratorium
Meaning of “relevant disposal” etc in section 95
Compensation
Advice and assistance in relation to land of community value in England
Advice and assistance in relation to land of community value in Wales
Part 6 — Planning
Duty to co-operate in relation to planning of sustainable development
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must co-operate on strategic planning and development Local authority
Use of Community Infrastructure Levy
Amended 1 timeNeighbourhood planning
Amended 4 timesRegulations under section 117: collection and enforcement
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must create rules for neighborhood planning charge enforcement Crown / Minister / Government department
Consequential amendments
Amended 4 timesConsultation before applying for planning permission
Amended 5 timesRetrospective planning permission
Amended 1 timeTime limits for enforcing concealed breaches of planning control
Amended 4 timesAssurance as regards prosecution for person served with enforcement notice
Amended 1 timePlanning offences: time limits and penalties
Amended 1 timePowers in relation to: unauthorised advertisements; defacement of premises
Amended 1 time- Ensure all outdoor advertisements have proper planning consent Occupier
Abolition of Infrastructure Planning Commission
Amended 3 timesTransitional provision in connection with abolition
Amended 2 timesNational policy statements
Amended 1 timePower to alter effect of requirement for development consent on other consent regimes
Amended 1 timeSecretary of State's directions in relation to projects of national significance
Amended 1 timePre-application consultation with local authorities
Amended 2 timesReform of duties to publicise community consultation statement
Amended 2 timesClaimants of compensation for effects of development
Amended 2 timesRights of entry for surveying etc in connection with applications
Amended 2 timesAcceptance of applications for development consent
Amended 2 timesProcedural changes relating to applications for development consent
Amended 2 timesTimetables for reports and decisions on applications for development consent
Amended 1 timeDevelopment consent subject to requirement for further approval
Amended 1 timeLocal authority, statutory undertakers' and National Trust land
Amended 2 timesChanges to notice requirements for compulsory acquisition
Amended 5 timesBrowse 10 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Abolition of regional strategies
Local development schemes
Adoption and withdrawal of development plan documents
Local development: monitoring reports
Community Infrastructure Levy: approval of charging schedules
Charges for meeting costs relating to neighbourhood planning
Regulations under section 117: supplementary
Financial assistance in relation to neighbourhood planning
Applications for planning permission: local finance considerations
Application of this Part to the Crown
Part 7 — Housing
Allocation of housing accommodation
Amended 2 timesAllocation only to eligible and qualifying persons: England
Amended 2 timesAllocation schemes
Amended 7 timesDuties to homeless persons
Amended 2 timesDuties to homeless persons: further amendments
Amended 3 timesTenancy strategies
Amended 3 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local housing authorities must publish and maintain a tenancy strategy Local authority
Preparation of tenancy strategy
Amended 2 timesStandards about tenancies etc
Amended 1 timeRelationship between schemes and strategies
Amended 3 timesFlexible tenancies
Amended 2 timesFlexible tenancies: other amendments
Amended 4 timesCreation of tenancies of social housing
Amended 1 timeRegistration of tenancies of social housing
Amended 1 timeSecure and assured tenancies: transfer of tenancy
Amended 12 times- Permit social housing tenancy transfers through mutual exchange Landlord
Further provisions about transfer of tenancy under section 158
Amended 5 timesSuccession to secure tenancies
Amended 2 timesSuccession to assured tenancies
Amended 1 timeSecure and assured tenancies: recovery of possession after tenant's death
Amended 8 timesAssured shorthold tenancy following demoted or family intervention tenancy
Amended 2 timesAssured shorthold tenancies: notice requirements
Amended 2 timesAssured shorthold tenancies: rights to acquire
Amended 2 timesRepairing obligations in leases of seven years or more
Amended 1 timeAbolition of Housing Revenue Account subsidy in England
Amended 1 timeFurther provisions about payments
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must determine payment terms for housing settlements Crown / Minister / Government department
Limits on indebtedness
Amended 2 timesPower to obtain information
Amended 2 timesDeterminations under this Chapter
Amended 2 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must consult and notify authorities regarding determinations Crown / Minister / Government department
Interpretation
Amended 2 timesStandards facilitating exchange of tenancies
Amended 1 timeTransfer of functions from the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords to the Homes and Communities Agency
Amended 2 timesRegulation of social housing
Amended 1 timeHousing complaints
Amended 3 timesTransfer of functions to housing ombudsman
Amended 1 timeTransfer of functions to housing ombudsman: supplementary
Amended 1 timeTenancy deposit schemes
Amended 1 timeExemption from HMO licensing for buildings run by co-operatives
Amended 1 timeBrowse 5 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Part 8 — London and areas of other mayoral strategic authorities
Removal of limitations on Greater London Authority's general power
Amended 2 timesNew housing and regeneration functions of the Authority
Amended 6 timesThe London housing strategy
Amended 1 timeModification to the Homes and Communities Agency's functions
Amended 1 timeTransfer of property of Homes and Communities Agency etc
Amended 2 timesAbolition of London Development Agency and transfer of its property etc
Amended 2 timesMayor's economic development strategy for London
Amended 1 timeTransfer schemes: general provisions
Amended 1 timePower to make consequential etc provision
Amended 1 timeConsequential amendments
Amended 3 timesDesignation of Mayoral development areas
Amended 6 timesMayoral development corporations: establishment
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must establish a Mayoral Development Corporation Crown / Minister / Government department
Exclusion of land from Mayoral development areas
Amended 2 timesTransfers of property etc to a Mayoral development corporation
Amended 8 timesObject and powers
Amended 3 timesFunctions in relation to Town and Country Planning
Amended 5 timesArrangements for discharge of, or assistance with, planning functions
Amended 1 timeRemoval or restriction of planning functions
Amended 3 timesPowers in relation to infrastructure
Amended 1 timePowers in relation to acquired land
Amended 2 timesPower to enter and survey land
Amended 1 timeBusinesses, subsidiaries and other companies
Amended 2 timesOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- MDCs must ensure subsidiaries only engage in permitted activities Local authority
Powers in relation to discretionary relief from non-domestic rates
Amended 2 timesReviews
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Mayor of London must periodically review Mayoral Development Corporations Crown / Minister / Government department
Transfers of property, rights and liabilities
Amended 2 timesDissolution: final steps
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must dissolve a Mayoral Development Corporation upon request Crown / Minister / Government department
Transfer schemes: general provisions
Amended 1 timeGuidance by the Mayor
Amended 1 timeDirections by the Mayor
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- The Mayor of London may give directions to Mayoral Development Corporations Crown / Minister / Government department
Consents
Amended 1 timeDelegation of functions by Ministers to the Mayor
Amended 1 timeAuthority may be required to carry on commercial activities through a taxable body
Amended 1 timeThe London Environment Strategy
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Mayor of London must create and publish a London Environment Strategy Statutory regulator
Abolition of Mayor's duty to prepare state of the environment reports
Amended 1 timeOther duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Mayor of London is no longer required to produce environment reports Crown / Minister / Government department
Mayoral strategies: general duties
Amended 1 timeSimplification of the consultation process for the Mayor's strategies
Amended 1 timeLondon Assembly's power to reject draft strategies
Amended 1 timeSharing of administrative etc services by London authorities
Amended 1 timeTransport for London: access to meetings and documents etc
Amended 1 timeBrowse 7 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Interpretation of Chapter
Powers in relation to land
Acquisition of land
Restrictions on disposal of land
Adoption of private streets
Financial assistance
Consequential and other amendments
Part 9 — Compensation for compulsory acquisition
Part 10 — General
Tax
Amended 1 timeOrders and regulations
Amended 13 timesRepeals and revocations
Amended 19 timesBrowse 6 other sections in this Part — procedural / definitional / commencement
Pre-commencement consultation
Power to make further consequential amendments
Financial provisions
Extent
Commencement
Short title
Schedules
New arrangements with respect to governance of English local authorities
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Local authorities must operate a permitted form of governance Local authority
Mayoral development corporations
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Mayoral Development Corporations must submit annual reports and audited accounts Local authority
Browse 23 other Schedules — structural / supplementary
General power of competence: consequential amendments
Minor and consequential amendments relating to local authority governance in England
Conduct of local government members
New Chapter 4ZA of Part 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
Council tax referendums: further amendments
Council tax: minor and consequential amendments
Regional strategies: consequential amendments
Neighbourhood planning
Process for making of neighbourhood development orders
Neighbourhood planning: community right to build orders
Neighbourhood planning: consequential amendments
Infrastructure Planning Commission: transfer of functions to Secretary of State
Grounds on which landlord may refuse to surrender and grant tenancies under section 158
Abolition of Housing Revenue Account subsidy in England
Transfer of functions from the Office for Tenants and Social Landlords to the Homes and Communities Agency
Regulation of social housing
Home information packs: consequential amendments
Housing and regeneration: consequential amendments
Abolition of London Development Agency: consequential amendments
Mayoral development corporations: consequential and other amendments
The London Environment Strategy: minor and consequential amendments of the Greater London Authority Act 1999
Transfers and transfer schemes: tax provisions
Repeals and revocations
Official guidance
Authoritative sources published by regulators or government explaining this legislation.
- Community Infrastructure Levy (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Neighbourhood planning (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Understanding the Community Right to Bid (opens in a new tab) Other
- The General Power of Competence - Empowering councils to make a difference (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- An introduction to the Localism Act (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
- Localism Act 2011: overview (opens in a new tab) Publication
- Pubs Code Adjudicator (opens in a new tab) Detailed Guidance
Enforcement and responsible bodies
The regulators that administer or enforce this legislation.
Homes England
PrimaryGovernment's housing delivery agency. Provides funding, land, and expertise to deliver new homes. Administers affordable housing programmes, Help to Buy, and strategic …
Valuation Office Agency
Executive agency of HMRC. Provides property valuations for council tax and business rates. Maintains the rating list used to calculate business rates. …
Connected legislation
2 statutory instruments
These instruments amend, apply, or refer to this Act. They may not all create direct business obligations.
Secondary legislation (2)
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Browse legislation
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Regulators
Learn more about the bodies that enforce this legislation.