What this law does
Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 is the legal spine of homelessness decision-making in England. It matters when a council investigates an application, provides interim accommodation, makes a written decision or conducts a statutory review.
Important provisions
The parts most likely to matter in ConsumerWise housing disputes
This is a practical selection, not a substitute for reading the full legislation. Commencement, amendments, transitional rules, territory and the exact tenancy type can change the position.
Homelessness inquiries and decisions
Requires inquiries where the authority has reason to believe an applicant may be homeless or threatened with homelessness.
Interim accommodation
Provides an interim accommodation duty in specified cases while the authority investigates.
Right to request review
Provides the statutory review route for specified homelessness decisions.
County court appeal on a point of law
Provides the statutory court appeal route from specified review decisions.
ConsumerWise guidance
See how these provisions work in real disputes
Official legislation
Check the current statutory text
ConsumerWise explains common routes in plain English. For the precise current wording, commencement and amendments, use the official source.