This section applies in relation to every local housing authority and housing action trust which lets dwelling-houses under introductory tenancies and which is a landlord authority for the purposes of Part IV of the Housing Act 1985 (secure tenancies).
The authority or trust shall maintain such arrangements as it considers appropriate to enable those of its introductory tenants who are likely to be substantially affected by a relevant matter of housing management—
and the authority or trust shall, before making a decision on the matter, consider any representations made to it in accordance with those arrangements.
A matter is one of housing management if, in the opinion of the authority or trust concerned, it relates to—
but not so far as it relates to the rent payable under an introductory or secure tenancy or to charges for services or facilities provided by the authority or trust.
A matter is relevant if, in the opinion of the authority or trust concerned, it represents—
and is likely substantially to affect either its introductory tenants as a whole or a group of them who form a distinct social group or occupy dwelling-houses which constitute a distinct class (whether by reference to the kind of dwelling-house, or the housing estate or other larger area in which they are situated).
In the case of a local housing authority, the reference in subsection (3) to the provision of services or amenities is a reference only to the provision of services or amenities by the authority acting in its capacity as landlord of the dwelling-houses concerned.
The authority or trust shall publish details of the arrangements which it makes under this section, and a copy of the documents published under this subsection shall—