Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

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Key definition

Authority definition

What does Authority mean? In practice, Authority refers to the public sector client that procures and manages a project or service and is the named counterparty in the contract. In public procurement, PFI/PPP, DBFM/DBFOM and outsourcing documents, it is a contractual shorthand for the “contracting authority” defined in legislation (England & Wales and Northern Ireland: Public Contracts Regulations 2015; Scotland: Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015; Ireland: European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations 2016). Typical Authorities include a local authority, an NHS trust or health board, a central government department or minister, a non‑departmental public body or agency, or another body...

Suitability of accommodation for homeless applicants: assessment criteria, equality, affordability, location, PRS offers, B&B limits and review and appeal (England and Wales)

Published by a LexisNexis Local Government expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note outlines guidance on the standards expected of accommodation provided by a local housing Authority (LHA) when fulfilling its housing duty under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 (HA 1996), including how suitability is evaluated. For details on how an applicant might challenge suitability, see Practice Note: Homelessness review and appeal. Statutory guidance was published on 22 February 2018 to align with the commencement of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 on 3 April 2018, and is updated on a regular basis. Throughout this Practice Note, that guidance is termed the ‘Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities’ (the Code).

Discharging the housing duty

All accommodation arranged by an LHA in performance of its housing duties under HA 1996, Pt VII must be suitable. This includes accommodation obtained in exercise of an LHA’s interim powers and duties, such as the duty in HA 1996, s 188(1) to secure accommodation pending a final determination of the duty owed to a potentially homeless applicant, and the relief duty in HA 1996, s 189B (see Practice Note: Homelessness—Interim duties). It also extends to accommodation sourced by the LHA from another person, in meeting its duties under HA 1996, Pt VII accordingly...

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Catherine Rowlands

Cornerstone Barristers

Catherine Rowlands has a practice which covers all aspects of public law, especially social housing, community care, and immigration, together with property and other civil litigation.She is a robust and tenacious advocate with substantial experience at all levels from the Magistrates' Court to the Supreme Court, where she has appeared in some of the most important cases in housing law. Cases includeHotak v Southwark LBC, Johnson v Solihull MBC [2015] UKSC 30: the Supreme Court's consideration of vulnerability and priority needBirmingham City Council v Ali et al [2009] UKHL 36: whether accommodation is suitable depends on the period of time for which the person is to be expected to remain thereSolihull Metropolitan Borough Council v Hickin [2012] UKSC 39: succession to a secure joint tenancySandwell MBC v Hensley [2007] EWCA Civ 1425: a tenant who has used his home as a cannabis farm must show good...

Rebecca Handcock

Field Court Chambers

Rebecca is regularly instructed by local authorities and persons lacking capacity (including through the Official Solicitor). Her cases often raise complex issues – including dealing with extreme hoarding cases, cases involving medical treatment, and cases involving contact with others including sexual contact.She is often instructed to deal with matters related to an individual’s deprivation of liberty, including challenges under section 21A of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Rebecca also has a busy Inquest and Inquiries practice, including large long-term projects such as the Covid Inquiry, in respect of which Rebecca has been instructed since 2022.Rebecca has experience being instructed by central and local government in matters which cover varied and often high profile subject matter, regularly attracting media attention. In her Inquest work, Rebecca regularly takes instructions in respect of Inquests where the subject matter overlaps with other areas of her practice (e.g. the deaths of those with...

Web page updated on 22/05/2026

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