Section 121A: Order suspending right to buy because of anti-social behaviour, Housing Act 1985

The court may, on the application of the landlord under a secure tenancy, make a suspension order in respect of the tenancy.

A suspension order is an order providing that the right to buy may not be exercised in relation to the dwelling-house during such period as is specified in the order (" the suspension period ").

The court must not make a suspension order unless it is satisfied—

that the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has engaged or threatened to engage in—

conduct that is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance to some person (who need not be a particular identified person) and that directly or indirectly relates to or affects the landlord's housing management functions, or

conduct that consists of or involves using housing accommodation owned or managed by the landlord for an unlawful purpose, and

that it is reasonable to make the order.

When deciding whether it is reasonable to make the order, the court must consider, in particular—

whether it is desirable for the dwelling-house to be managed by the landlord during the suspension period; and

where the conduct mentioned in subsection (3)(a) consists of conduct by a person which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance, the effect that the conduct (or the threat of it) has had on other persons, or would have if repeated.

Where a suspension order is made—

any existing claim to exercise the right to buy in relation to the dwelling-house ceases to be effective as from the beginning of the suspension period, and

section 138(1) shall not apply to the landlord, in connection with such a claim, at any time after the beginning of that period, but

the order does not affect the computation of any period in accordance with Schedule 4.

The court may, on the application of the landlord, make (on one or more occasions) a further order which extends the suspension period under the suspension order by such period as is specified in the further order.

The court must not make such a further order unless it is satisfied—

that, since the making of the suspension order (or the last order under subsection (6)), the tenant, or a person residing in or visiting the dwelling-house, has engaged or threatened to engage in—

conduct that consists of or involves using housing accommodation owned or managed by the landlord for an unlawful purpose, and

that it is reasonable to make the further order.

When deciding whether it is reasonable to make such a further order, the court must consider, in particular—

whether it is desirable for the dwelling-house to be managed by the landlord during the further period of suspension; and

where the conduct mentioned in subsection (7)(a) consists of conduct by a person which is capable of causing nuisance or annoyance, the effect that the conduct (or the threat of it) has had on other persons, or would have if repeated.

In this section any reference to the tenant under a secure tenancy is, in relation to a joint tenancy, a reference to any of the joint tenants.

In this section "housing accommodation" includes—

flats, lodging-houses and hostels;

any yard, garden, outhouses and appurtenances belonging to the accommodation or usually enjoyed with it;

any common areas used in connection with the accommodation.

Section 121A: Order suspending right to buy because of anti-social behaviour

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