The tenant of a dwelling in England has a right to acquire the dwelling if—
the landlord is a private registered provider or a registered social landlord,
the tenancy is within subsection (2),
the provision of the dwelling was publicly funded,
the dwelling has remained in the social rented sector ever since that provision, and
the tenant satisfies any qualifying conditions applicable under Part V of the Housing Act 1985 (c. 68) (as it applies by virtue of section 184).
A tenancy is within this subsection if it is—
an assured tenancy, other than ... a long tenancy, or
a secure tenancy.
The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that an assured shorthold tenancy of a description specified in the regulations is not a tenancy within subsection (2).
The reference in subsection (1)(a) to a private registered provider includes—
a person who provided the dwelling in fulfilment of a condition imposed by the HCA when giving assistance to the person;
a person who provided the dwelling wholly or partly by means of a grant under section 27A of the Housing Act 1996 (c. 52).