HC Deb 27 July 1977 vol 936 cc897-8

Lords amendment: No. 51, in page 11, line 7, at end insert new Clause E—

"—(1) Subject to subsection (3) below, for the purposes of this Act a person becomes homeless intentionally if he deliberately does or fails to do anything in consequence of which he ceases to occupy accommodation which is available for his occupation and which it would have been reasonable for him to continue to occupy.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) below, for the purposes of this Act a person becomes threatened with homelessness intentionally if he deliberately does or fails to do anything the likely result of which is that he will be forced to leave accommodation which is available for his occupation and which it would have been reasonable for him to continue to occupy.

(3) An act or omission in good faith on the part of a person who was unaware of any relevant fact is not to be treated as deliberate for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2) above.

(4) Regard may be had, in determining for the purposes of subsections (1) and (2) above whether it would have been reasonable for a person to continue to occupy accommodation, to the general circumstances prevailing in relation to housing in the area of the housing authority to whom he applied for accommodation or for assistance in obtaining accommodation."

Read a Second time.

Amendment proposed to the Lords amendment, in subsection (1) at end insert— 'and does or fails to do so with the primary intention of securing accommodation under the provisions of this Act.'—[Mr. Douglas-Mann.]

Amendment negatived.

Amendment proposed to the Lords amendment, in subsection (2), at end insert— and does or fails to do so with the primary intention of securing accommodation under the provisions of this Act".—[Mr. Douglas-Mann].

Amendment negatived.

Amendment proposed to the Lords amendment, in subsection (3), leave out "in good faith".—[Mr. Douglas-Mann.]

Amendment negatived.

Lords amendment agreed to.

Lords Amendment No. 52 agreed to.

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