Housing Defects Act 1984
Following the second world war, there was a need for a great deal of new housing, and new construction techniques were adopted, in particular by local authorities and other public bodies. However, these new methods were not without their problems, and prefabricated construction techniques in particular resulted in a large number of defects.
In the 1980’s, these defects were researched by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), and in 1984, the Government introduced a scheme to help owners who had unwittingly purchased 'designated defective' types of property from a public authority.
The Housing Defects Act 1984, was described as an ‘…Act to make provision in connection with defective dwellings disposed of by public sector authorities...'
The Secretary of State could designate types of buildings if it appeared that buildings in the proposed class were defective by reason of their design or construction, and by virtue of this having become generally known, their value had been substantially reduced.
The Act was later consolidated into Part XVI of the 1985 Housing Act, and provided for a 90% grant towards the cost of repairing defects, subject to an expenditure limit, or repurchase at 95% of the defect free value.
Local authorities estimated that owners of 31,000 properties would qualify for a grant under the scheme. By February 1994, 90% of eligible owners had already been assisted under the scheme. The last date by which owners of most designated buildings could apply for assistance was 30 November 1994.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building pathology.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Defects.
- Defective Premises - Liability and Measure of Damages.
- Defective Premises Act.
- Defects correction period.
- Defects liability period.
- Delay damages.
- Design liability.
- Dilapidations.
- Fit for purpose.
- Housing defects.
- Latent defects.
- Patent defects.
- Prefab bungalows.
- Prefabrication.
- The changing form of building worldwide 1984.
- The structural condition of Easiform cavity-walled dwellings (BR 130).
Featured articles and news
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..