Source: http://smartleges.com/en/law-library/protection-from-eviction-act-1977-1977-c-43/2015663
Timestamp: 2017-09-22 02:33:15
Document Index: 258807117

Matched Legal Cases: ['art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 3', 'art. 4', 'art. 2', 'art. 2', 'art. 4', 'art. 1', 'art. 6', 'art. 5', 'art. 5', 'art. 5', 'art. 1', 'art. 6', 'art. 2', 'art. 6', 'art. 6', 'art. 2', 'art. 3', 'art. 1', 'art. 2', 'art. 3']

Protection from Eviction Act 1977, 1977 c. 43, Version 01/10/2014
Part I. Unlawful Eviction and Harassment
Part II. Notice to Quit
Part III. Supplemental Provisions
Version 01/09/1995
Version 28/08/1991
An Act to consolidate section 16 of the Rent Act 1957 and Part III of the Rent Act 1965, and related enactments.
C1 Act modified (prosp.) by 2002 c. 41, ss. 32(4), 162(1) (with s. 159)
C2 Powers transferred (W) (1.7.1999) by virtue of S.I. 1999/672, art. 2, Sch. 1
C3 Act modified by Housing Act 1980 (c. 51, SIF 61), s. 152, Sch. 25 para. 61
C4 Act excluded (1.10.2014) by Mobile Homes (Wales) Act 2013 (anaw 6), ss. 45(3), 64(2) (with s. 45(2), Sch. 5 para. 7); S.I. 2014/11, art. 3(1)(c)
I1 Act not in force at Royal Assent; Act wholly in force at 29.8.1977 see s. 13(2)
1 Unlawful eviction and harassment of occupier.
(1) In this section “residential occupier”, in relation to any premises, means a person occupying the premises as a residence, whether under a contract or by virtue of any enactment or rule of law giving him the right to remain in occupation or restricting the right of any other person to recover possession of the premises.
[F1 (3A) Subject to subsection (3B) below, the landlord of a residential occupier or an agent of the landlord shall be guilty of an offence if—
(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding £400 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both;
F1 S. 1(3A)–(3C) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 29(2), 44(2)(b)
C5 By Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), s. 29(1) (read with s. 44(2)(b)), it is provided that, with respect to acts done after the commencement of that 1988 Act, subsection (3) shall have effect with the substitution for the word “calculated”, of the word “likely”
2 Restriction on re-entry without due process of law.
3 Prohibition of eviction without due process of law.
(1) Where any premises have been let as a dwelling under a tenancy which is [F2 neither a statutorily protected tenancy nor an excluded tenancy] and—
(b) the occupier continues to reside in the premises or part of them,
(2) In this section “the occupier”, in relation to any premises, means any person lawfully residing in the premises or part of them at the termination of the former tenancy.
[F3 (2A) Subsections (1) and (2) above apply in relation to any restricted contract (within the meaning of the Rent Act 1977) which—
(b) is entered into after the commencement of section 69 of the Housing Act 1980;
[F4 (2B) Subsections (1) and (2) above apply in relation to any premises occupied as a dwelling under a licence, other than an excluded licence, as they apply in relation to premises let as a dwelling under a tenancy, and in those subsections the expressions “let” and “tenancy” shall be construed accordingly.
(3) This section shall, with the necessary modifications, apply where the owner’s right to recover possession arises on the death of the tenant under a statutory tenancy within the meaning of the M1 Rent Act 1977 or the M2 Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976.
F2 Words substituted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 30(1), 44(2)(b)
F3 S. 3(2A) inserted by Housing Act 1980 (c. 51, SIF 61), s. 69(1)
F4 S. 3(2B)–(2C) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 30(2), 44(2)(b)
M1 1977 c. 42.
M2 1976 c. 80.
[F5 3A Excluded tenancies and licences.
(a) “ accommodation ” includes neither an area used for storage nor a staircase, passage, corridor or other means of access;
(b) “ occupier ” means, in relation to a tenancy, the tenant and, in relation to a licence, the licensee; and
(c) “ purpose-built block of flats ” has the same meaning as in Part III of Schedule 1 to the Housing Act 1988;
and section 113 of the Housing Act M3 1985 shall apply to determine whether a person who is for the purposes of subsection (3) above a member of another’s family as it applies for the purposes of Part IV of that Act.
F6 [( 7A ) A tenancy or licence is excluded if it is granted in order to provide accommodation [F7 under section 4 or Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999] .]
[F8 (7C) A tenancy or licence is excluded if it is granted in order to provide accommodation under the Displaced Persons (Temporary Protection) Regulations 2005.]
(8) M4 A licence is excluded if it confers rights of occupation in a hostel, within the meaning of the Housing Act 1985, which is provided by—
(a) the council of a county, [F9 county borough, ] district or London Borough, the Common Council of the City of London, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, the Inner London Education Authority, [F10 the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, ] a joint authority within the meaning of the Local Government Act M5 1985 or a residuary body within the meaning of that Act;
[F11 (aa) an economic prosperity board established under section 88 of the Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009;
(ab) a combined authority established under section 103 of that Act;]
(b) a development corporation within the meaning of the New Towns Act M6 1981;
(c) the [F12 new towns residuary body] ;
(d) an urban development corporation established by an order under section 135 of the Local Government, Planning and Land Act M7 1980;
[F13 (da) a Mayoral development corporation;]
(e) a housing action trust established under Part III of the Housing Act M8 1988;
F14 ( f ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
( g ) the [F15 Regulator of Social Housing ] F16 . . .;
[F17 (ga) the Secretary of State under section 89 of the M9 Housing Associations Act 1985; ]
[F18 (h) a housing trust (within the meaning of the Housing Associations Act 1985) which is a charity [F19 , a private registered provider of social housing] or a registered social landlord (within the meaning of the Housing Act 1985) ; or.]
( i ) any other person who is, or who belongs to a class of person which is, specified in an order made by the Secretary of State.
[F20 (8A) In subsection (8) (c) above “ new towns residuary body ” means—
(a) in relation to England, the Homes and Communities Agency so far as exercising functions in relation to anything transferred (or to be transferred) to it as mentioned in section 52(1) (a) to (d) of the Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 [F21 or the Greater London Authority so far as exercising its new towns and urban development functions] ; and
(b) in relation to Wales, means the Welsh Ministers so far as exercising functions in relation to anything transferred (or to be transferred) to them as mentioned in section 36(1) (a) (i) to (iii) of the New Towns Act 1981.]
(9) The power to make an order under subsection (8) (i) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument which shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.]
P1 S. 3A(8)(i): s. 3A(8)(i) power exercised by S.I. 1991/1943
F5 S. 3A inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 31, 44(2)(b)
F6 S. 3A(7A) inserted (11.11.1999) by 1999 c. 33, ss. 169(1), 170(3)(s), Sch. 14, para. 73
F7 Words in s. 3A(7A) substituted (16.6.2006) by Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 (c. 13), ss. 43(4)(a), 62(1), 62(2); S.I. 2006/1497, art. 3, Sch.
F8 S. 3A(7C) inserted (15.6.2005) after (7B) (which is prospectively inserted by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, s 32(5)) by The Displaced Persons (Temporary Protection) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/1379), reg. 1, Sch. para. 1
F9 Words in s. 3A(8)(a) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(2), Sch. 8 para. 4(1) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2)); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch. 1
F10 Words in s. 3A(8) inserted (3.7.2000) by 1999 c. 29, s. 328, Sch. 29 Pt. I para. 27 (with Sch. 12 para. 9(1)); S.I. 2000/1094, art. 4(a)(h)
F11 S. 3A(8)(aa)(ab) inserted (17.12.2009) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), s. 148(6), Sch. 6 para. 47; S.I. 2009/3318, art. 2(c)
F12 Words in s. 3A(8)(c) substituted (1.12.2008) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), s. 325(1), Sch. 8 para. 24(2); S.I. 2008/3068, art. 2(1)(w)(3) (with arts. 6-13, Sch.)
F13 S. 3A(8)(da) inserted (15.1.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(1)(l), Sch. 22 para. 6
F14 S. 3A(8)(f) repealed (1.10.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 152, Sch. 18 Pt. IV (with ss. 137(1), 139(2), 141(1)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 4
F15 Words in s. 3A(8)(g) substituted (1.4.2010) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/866), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 13(a) (with art. 6, Sch. 3)
F16 Words in s. 3A(8)(g) repealed (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, ss. 140, 152, Sch. 16 para. 2(a), Sch. 18 Pt. IV (with ss. 137(1), 139(2), 141(1)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 5
F17 S. 3A(8)(ga) inserted (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 140, Sch. 16 para. 2(b) (with ss. 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art. 5
F18 S. 3A(8)(h) substituted (1.10.1996) by S.I. 1996/2325, art. 5(1), Sch. 2 para. 7
F19 Words in s. 3A(8)(h) inserted (1.4.2010) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/866), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 13(b) (with art. 6, Sch. 3)
F20 S. 3A(8A) inserted (1.12.2008) by Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (c. 17), s. 325(1), Sch. 8 para. 24(3); S.I. 2008/3068, art. 2(1)(w)(3) (with arts. 6-13, Sch.)
F21 Words in s. 3A(8A)(a) inserted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), s. 240(2), Sch. 19 para. 6; S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(i) (with arts. 9, 11, 14, 15 ,17)
C6 S. 3A(8)(g) modified (1.12.2008) by Transfer of Housing Corporation Functions (Modifications and Transitional Provisions) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/2839), arts. 1(1), 3, Sch. para. 1 (with art. 6)
M3 1985 c. 68 (61).
M4 1985 c. 68(61).
M5 1985 c. 51(81:1).
M6 1981 c. 64(123:3).
M7 1980 c. 65(123:1, 2).
M8 1988 c. 50(61).
M9 1985 c. 69.
4 Special provisions for agricultural employees.
(1) This section shall apply where the tenant under the former tenancy (within the meaning of section 3 of this Act) occupied the premises under the terms of his employment as a person employed in agriculture, as defined in section 1 of the M10 Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976, but is not a statutory tenant as defined in that Act.
(2) In this section “the occupier”, in relation to any premises, means—
(a) the tenant under the former tenancy; or
(b) the [F22 surviving spouse or surviving civil partner ] of the tenant under the former tenancy residing with him at his death or, if the former tenant leaves no such [F22 surviving spouse or surviving civil partner] , any member of his family residing with him at his death.
[F23 (2A) In accordance with section 3(2B) above, any reference in subsections (1) and (2) above to the tenant under the former tenancy includes a reference to the licensee under a licence (other than an excluded licence) which has come to an end (being a licence to occupy premises as a dwelling) ; and in the following provisions of this section the expressions “ tenancy ” and “ rent ” and any other expressions referable to a tenancy shall be construed accordingly. ]
(4) Where the order for possession is made within the period of 6 months beginning with the date when the former tenancy came to an end, then, without prejudice to any powers of the court under the preceding provisions of this section or apart from this section to postpone the operation or suspend the execution of the order for a longer period, the court shall suspend the execution of the order for the remainder of the said period of 6 months unless the court—
(a) is satisfied either—
(i) that other suitable accommodation is, or will within that period be made, available to the occupier; or
(ii) that the efficient management of any agricultural land or the efficient carrying on of any agricultural operations would be seriously prejudiced unless the premises are available for occupation by a person employed or to be employed by the owner; or
(iii) that greater hardship (being hardship in respect of matters other than the carrying on of such a business as aforesaid) would be caused by the suspension of the order until the end of that period than by its execution within that period; or
(iv) that the occupier, or any person residing or lodging with the occupier, has been causing damage to the premises or has been guilty of conduct which is a nuisance or annoyance to persons occupying other premises; and
(b) considers that it would be reasonable not to suspend the execution of the order for the remainder of that period.
(5) Where the court suspends the execution of an order for possession under subsection (4) above it shall do so on such terms and conditions, including conditions as to the payment by the occupier of arrears of rent, mesne profits and otherwise as the court thinks reasonable.
(8) In considering whether or how to exercise its powers under subsection (3) above, the court shall have regard to all the circumstances and, in particular, to—
(a) whether other suitable accommodation is or can be made available to the occupier;
(b) whether the efficient management of any agricultural land or the efficient carrying on of any agricultural operations would be seriously prejudiced unless the premises were available for occupation by a person employed or to be employed by the owner; and
(10) Where, in the case of an order for possession of the premises to which subsection (4) above applies, the execution of the order is not suspended under that subsection or, the execution of the order having been so suspended, the suspension is terminated, then, if it is subsequently made to appear to the court that the failure to suspend the execution of the order or, as the case may be, the termination of the suspension was—
(a) attributable to the provisions of paragraph (a) (ii) of subsection (4) , and
(b) due to misrepresentation or concealment of material facts by the owner of the premises,
F22 Words in s. 4(2)(b) substituted (5.12.2005) by Civil Partnership Act 2004 (c. 33), s. 263(2), Sch. 8 para. 15; S.I. 2005/3175, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
F23 S. 4(2A) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 30(3), 44(2)(b)
M10 1976 c. 80.
(1) [F24 Subject to subsection (1B) below] no notice by a landlord or a tenant to quit any premises let (whether before or after the commencement of this Act) as a dwelling shall be valid unless—
[F25 (1A) Subject to subsection (1B) below, no notice by a licensor or a licensee to determine a periodic licence to occupy premises as a dwelling (whether the licence was granted before or after the passing of this Act) shall be valid unless—
(b) premises occupied under an excluded licence.]
F24 Words inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 32(1), 44(2)(b)
F25 S. 5(1A)(1B) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 32(2), 44(2)(b)
6 Prosecution of offences.
(a) councils of districts and London boroughs;
[F26 (aa) councils of Welsh counties and county boroughs;]
F26 S. 6(aa) inserted (1.4.1996) by 1994 c. 19, s. 22(2), Sch. 8 para. 4(2) (with ss. 54(5)(7), 55(5), Sch. 17 paras. 22(1), 23(2); S.I. 1996/396, art. 3, Sch. 1
7 Service of Notices.
(1) If for the purpose of any proceedings (whether civil or criminal) brought or intended to be brought under this Act, any person serves upon—
(b) the person who receives the rent of the dwelling,
(2) If any such agent or other person as is referred to in subsection (1) above fails or refuses forthwith to comply with a notice served on him under that subsection, he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding [F27 level 4 on the standard scale] , unless he shows to the satisfaction of the court that he did not know, and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained, such of the facts required by the notice to be disclosed as were not disclosed by him.
(3) In this section “landlord” includes—
(a) any person from time to time deriving title under the original landlord,
(b) in relation to any dwelling-house, any person other than the tenant who is or, but for Part VII of the M11 Rent Act 1977 would be, entitled to possession of the dwelling-house, and
(c) any person who, . . . F28 grants to another the right to occupy the dwelling in question as a residence and any person directly or indirectly deriving title from the grantor.
F27 Words substituted by virtue of Criminal Law Act 1977 (c. 45, SIF 39:1), s. 31 and Criminal Justice Act 1982 (c. 48, SIF 39:1), ss. 39, 46, Sch. 3
F28 Words repealed by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), s. 140(1)(2), Sch. 17 para. 26, Sch. 18
M11 1977 c. 42.
8 Interpretation.
(1) In this Act “statutorily protected tenancy” means—
(a) a protected tenancy within the meaning of the M12 Rent Act 1977 or a tenancy to which Part I of the M13 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 applies;
(b) a protected occupancy or statutory tenancy as defined in the M14 Rent (Agriculture) Act 1976;
(c) a tenancy to which Part II of the M15 Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 applies;
(d) a tenancy of an agricultural holding within the meaning of the [F29 Agricultural Holdings Act 1986] [F30 which is a tenancy in relation to which that act applies] .
[F31 (e) an assured tenancy or assured agricultural occupancy under Part I of the Housing Act 1988]
[F32 (f) a tenancy to which Schedule 10 to the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 applies] .
[F33 (g) a farm business tenancy within the meaning of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995.]
(2) For the purposes of Part I of this Act a person who, under the terms of his employment, had exclusive possession of any premises other than as a tenant shall be deemed to have been a tenant and the expressions “let” and “tenancy” shall be construed accordingly.
(3) In Part I of this Act “the owner”, in relation to any premises, means the person who, as against the occupier, is entitled to possession thereof.
[F34 (4) In this Act “excluded tenancy” and “excluded licence” have the meaning assigned by section 3A of this Act.
(a) a reduction or increase effected under Part III or Part VI of the Rent Act M16 1977 (rents under regulated tenancies and housing association tenancies) , section 78 of that Act (power of F35 ... tribunal in relation to restricted contracts) or sections 11 to 14 of the Rent (Agriculture) Act M17 1976; or
(b) a variation which is made by the parties and has the effect of making the rent expressed to be payable under the tenancy or licence the same as a rent for the dwelling which is entered in the register under Part IV or section 79 of the Rent Act M18 1977.]
F29 Words substituted by Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 (c. 5, SIF 2:3), ss. 99, 100, Sch. 13 para. 3, Sch. 14 para. 61
F30 Words in s. 8(1)(d) inserted (1.9.1995) by 1995 c. 8, ss. 40, 41(2), Sch. para. 29(a) (with s. 37)
F31 S. 8(1)(e) inserted by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 33(2), 44(2)(b)
F32 S. 8(1)(f) inserted by Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (c. 42, SIF 75:1), s. 194(1), Sch. 11 para. 54
F33 S. 8(1)(g) added (1.9.1995) by 1995 c. 8, ss. 40, 41(2), Sch. para. 29(b) (with s. 37)
F34 S. 8(4)–(6) added by Housing Act 1988 (c. 50, SIF 75:1), ss. 33(3), 44(2)(b)
F35 Word in s. 8(6)(a) omitted (1.7.2013) by virtue of The Transfer of Tribunal Functions Order 2013 (S.I. 2013/1036), art. 1, Sch. 1 para. 35 (with Sch. 3)
M12 1977 c. 42.
M13 1954 c. 56.
M14 1976 c. 80.
M15 1954 c. 56.
M16 1977 c. 42(75:3).
M17 1976 c. 80(75:3).
M18 1977 c. 42(75:3).
9 The court for purposes of Part I.
(1) The court for the purposes of Part I of this Act shall, subject to this section, be—
(a) the county court, in relation to premises with respect to which the county court has for the time being jurisdiction in actions for the recovery of land; and
(b) the High Court, in relation to other premises.
F36 (2). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(3) Nothing in this Act shall affect the jurisdiction of the High Court in proceedings to enforce a lessor’s right of re-entry or forfeiture or to enforce a mortgagee’s right of possession in a case where the former tenancy was not binding on the mortgagee.
(4) Nothing in this Act shall affect the operation of—
(a) section 59 of the M19 Pluralities Act 1838;
(b) section 19 of the M20 Defence Act 1842;
(c) section 6 of the M21 Lecturers and Parish Clerks Act 1844;
(d) paragraph 3 of Schedule 1 to the M22 Sexual Offences Act 1956; or
(e) section 13 of the M23 Compulsory Purchase Act 1965.
F36 S. 9(2) omitted (22.4.2014) by virtue of Crime and Courts Act 2013 (c. 22), s. 61(3), Sch. 9 para. 122; S.I. 2014/954, art. 2(c) (with art. 3) (with transitional provisions and savings in S.I. 2014/956, arts. 3-11)
M19 1838 c. 106.
M20 1842 c. 94.
M21 1844 c. 59.
M22 1956 c. 69.
M23 1965 c. 56.
10 Application to Crown.
In so far as this Act requires the taking of proceedings in the court for the recovery of possession or confers any powers on the court it shall (except in the case of section 4(10) ) be binding on the Crown.