| Applicant |
This can refer to single or joint applicants forming one household. |
| Assured Tenancy |
Tenancy granted to Housing Association tenants giving them the right to remain in the property unless the landlord can prove to the Court that there are grounds for possession. |
| Closing Order |
A local authority’s legal power to stop anyone living in a property that is unfit for human habitation. |
| Compulsory Purchase Order |
A legal power used by local authorities and other public bodies to acquire property for specific purposes. |
| Domestic Abuse |
Section 48 of statutory guidance Improving access to social housing for victims of domestic abuse states that domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse. |
| Disabled Persons |
Persons who have a physical or mental impairment that has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long‑term’ negative effect on their ability to do normal daily activities as set out in the Equality Act 2010. |
| Homelessness Prevention Duty |
Section 195 of the 1996 Act – the ‘prevention duty’ – places a duty on housing authorities to work with people who are threatened with homelessness within 56 days to help prevent them from becoming homeless. |
| Homelessness Relief Duty |
Section 189B of the 1996 Act – the ‘relief duty’ – requires housing authorities to help people who are homeless to secure accommodation. The duty applies when the authority is satisfied that the applicant is homeless and eligible for assistance, and requires reasonable steps to secure suitable accommodation for at least 6 months. |
| Housing Register |
The list of people seeking to acquire accommodation. By law, some people are excluded from joining the register. |
| Housing Association |
A provider of affordable housing including supported accommodation. |
| Key Worker |
Someone employed by the public sector in a frontline role delivering an essential public service in health, education or community safety, where there are serious recruitment and retention problems. |
| Local Lettings Plan |
A plan where a designated set of residential units (which may be defined by geographical area) are allocated outside the terms of the mainstream Housing Allocations Policy. |
| Looked After Children |
Children who are ‘looked after’ by a local authority (e.g. Walsall MBC) under one of a number of legal arrangements. |
| Mutual Exchange |
Council or housing association tenants who agree to swap properties with another tenant, with the approval of both landlords. |
| Notice to Quit |
Legal notice served on a secure tenant who no longer occupies the property as their only or principal home, or on a non‑secure tenant, to bring the tenancy to an end. |
| Purpose Built Sheltered Schemes |
Blocks of self‑contained units built for older people, with communal facilities, a Community Alarm system, and housing support provided by a residential or non‑residential warden. |
| Possession Order |
A court order requiring a household to move out of the property they occupy. |
| Qualifying Persons |
Persons who are eligible to join the Housing Register. |
| Reasonable Preference Categories |
Groups of people that local authorities must give priority to by law when allocating accommodation. |
| Shared Ownership |
A scheme allowing an applicant to buy part of a property and rent the remaining part from a local authority or housing association. |
| Sheltered Housing |
A group of self‑contained dwellings for older people who can live independently but prefer the added security of an alarm system and a resident or visiting warden. |
| Supported Housing |
Housing provided for vulnerable people who need support to live independently. |