A Bill to amend section 157 of the Housing Act 1985 to extend the use of local occupancy clauses to certain urban areas with the permission of the Secretary of State; to increase the qualifying period of local occupancy clauses from three years to either five or ten years; to place a duty on the Homes and Communities Agency and local authorities with housing and planning responsibilities to promote co-operative and mutual housing options and report annually in this regard; to require the Homes and Communities Agency, local authorities and the Land Registry to identify land available for housing development which has not been developed and to publish a report on the available options for development of housing on such land; and for connected purposes.
House of Commons
Gareth ThomasLabour (Co-op)
26 April 2013
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The bill would reform local occupancy rules for housing by allowing them to apply in more urban areas with ministerial permission and by extending the minimum period properties must be occupied before sale. It also requires housing bodies and local authorities to promote cooperative and mutual housing, and to identify undeveloped land suitable for housing and publish development options.
The bill is at the second reading stage in the House of Commons. It has completed its first reading and is currently being considered by MPs.
Generated 21 February 2026
30 Jan 2013
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
