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Statutory Instruments made by the National Assembly for Wales


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URL: http://www.bailii.org/wales/legis/num_reg/2006/20061641e.html

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STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS


2006 No. 1641 (W.156)

HOUSING, WALES

The Residential Property Tribunal Procedure (Wales) Regulations 2006

  Made 20 June 2006 
  Coming into force 23 June 2006 

The National Assembly for Wales makes the following Regulations in exercise of the powers conferred on it by section 250(2)(a) of and Schedule 13 to the Housing Act 2004[1].

Title and commencement
     1. —(1) The title of these Regulations is The Residential Property Tribunal Procedure (Wales) Regulations 2006.

    (2) These Regulations come into force on 23 June 2006.

Interpretation
    
2. In these Regulations—

Application
     3. These Regulations apply to proceedings of residential property tribunals for determining applications in respect of premises in Wales made—

The overriding objective
    
4. —(1) When a tribunal—

it must seek to give effect to the overriding objective of dealing fairly and justly with applications which it is to determine.

    (2) Dealing with an application fairly and justly includes—

Request for extension of time to make an application
    
5. —(1) This regulation applies where a person makes a request to a tribunal for permission to make an application after the end of the period stipulated in the Act as the period within which the application must be made.

    (2) A request to which this regulation applies must—

    (3) Where a request mentioned in paragraph (1) is made, the applicant must at the same time send the completed application to which the request relates to the tribunal.

Particulars of application
    
6. —(1) An application must be in writing and must include the following particulars—

    (2) Any of the particulars required by paragraph (1) may be dispensed with or relaxed if the tribunal is satisfied that—

    (3) A single qualified member of the panel[6] may exercise the power conferred by paragraph (2).

Acknowledgement and notification of application by tribunal
     7. —(1) As soon as practicable after receiving the application, the tribunal must—

    (2) Except in a case to which regulation 9 applies, the tribunal must also send to the respondent a notice specifying the date by which the respondent must send the reply mentioned in regulation 8.

    (3) The date specified in the notice must not be less than 14 days after the date specified in the notice as the date on which it was made.

Reply by respondent
    
8. —(1) This regulation applies where a respondent receives the notice mentioned in regulation 7(2).

    (2) Where this regulation applies the respondent must by the date specified in that notice send to the tribunal a written reply acknowledging receipt of the copy documents sent in accordance with regulation 7(1)(b) and stating—

Urgent IMO authorisation applications
    
9. —(1) This regulation applies where the LHA requests a tribunal to deal with an IMO authorisation application as a matter of urgency.

    (2) Where it appears to the tribunal, on the basis of information accompanying the application, that the exceptional circumstances mentioned in paragraph (3) exist, it may order an oral hearing (an "urgent oral hearing") to be held without complying with the notice requirements of regulation 25.

    (3) The exceptional circumstances are that—

    (4) The tribunal must as soon as practicable notify the parties and each interested person whose name and address have been notified to it—

    (5) The date of the hearing must be not less than 4 days after the date that notification of the urgent oral hearing is sent.

    (6) At the urgent oral hearing the tribunal must—

    (7) A single qualified member of the panel may—

    (8) Where the tribunal orders an urgent oral hearing the notice provisions contained in the following regulations do not apply to the application—

Request to be treated as an applicant or respondent
    
10. —(1) A person ("the potential party") may make a request to the tribunal to be joined as a party to the proceedings.

    (2) Any request under paragraph (1)—

    (3) As soon as practicable after reaching its decision whether to grant or refuse a request under paragraph (1), the tribunal must—

    (4) Any potential party whose request under paragraph (1) is granted must be treated as an applicant or respondent for the purposes of regulations 4, 9, 11, 13 to 37 and 39 to 41.

    (5) In the regulations mentioned in paragraph (4) any reference to an applicant or a respondent must be construed as including a person treated as such under this regulation, and any reference to a party must be construed as including any such person.

    (6) A single qualified member of the panel may grant or refuse a request under paragraph (1).

Determining applications together
    
11. —(1) This regulation applies where separate applications have been made which in the opinion of the tribunal—

    (2) Where paragraph (1) applies, the tribunal may order—

to be determined together.

Payment of fees
    
12. Where a fee which is payable under the Fees Regulations is not paid within a period of 14 days from the date on which the application is received, the application is to be treated as withdrawn unless the tribunal is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds not to do so.

Representatives
    
13. —(1) This regulation applies where a party or an interested person makes a request in writing to the tribunal for information or documents to be supplied to the representative of that party or interested person.

    (2) A request mentioned in paragraph (1) must contain the name and address of the representative.

    (3) Where this regulation applies any duty of the tribunal under these Regulations to supply any information or document is satisfied by sending or giving it to the representative.

Supply of information and documents to interested persons
    
14. —(1) Where the tribunal is notified of the name and address of an interested person, it must ensure that as soon as is practicable the interested person is supplied with—

    (2) The tribunal may ensure the supply of information or documents under paragraph (1) by—

    (3) Where information and documents are supplied to an interested person in accordance with paragraph (1) but the interested person—

the tribunal is not under any further duty to ensure the supply of information or documents to that person.

Supply of documents by tribunal
    
15. —(1) Before determining an application, the tribunal must take all reasonable steps to ensure that each of the parties is supplied with—

    (2) At a hearing, if a party has not previously received a relevant document or a copy of, or sufficient extracts from or particulars of, a relevant document, then unless—

the tribunal must adjourn the hearing for a period which it considers will give that person a sufficient opportunity to deal with those matters.

Supply of information and documents by parties
    
16. —(1) Subject to paragraph (5), the tribunal may make an order requiring a party to supply to the tribunal any information or document which it is in the power of that party to supply and which is specified, or of a description specified, in the order.

    (2) The tribunal may make an order requiring a party to supply to another party or to an interested person copies of any documents supplied or to be supplied to the tribunal under paragraph (1).

    (3) A party who is subject to an order made under paragraph (1) or (2) must supply such information, documents or copies by such time as may be specified in, or determined in accordance with, the order.

    (4) Subject to paragraph (5) the tribunal may make an order requiring any person to attend an oral hearing to give evidence and produce any documents specified, or of a description specified, in the order which it is in the power of that person to produce.

    (5) Paragraphs (1) and (4) do not apply in relation to any document which a person could not be compelled to produce on the trial of an action in a court of law in England or Wales.

    (6) A single qualified member of the panel may make an order under paragraph (1), (2) or (4) which is—

Failure to comply with an order to supply information and documents
    
17. Where a party has failed to comply with an order made under regulation 16(1), (2) or (4) the tribunal may make an order dismissing or allowing the whole or part of the application.

Determination without a hearing
    
18. —(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (6) the tribunal may determine an application without an oral hearing if it has given the parties not less than 14 days' notice in writing of its intention to do so.

    (2) At any time before the application is determined—

    (3) Where a request is made or a notice given under paragraph (2) the tribunal must give notice of a hearing in accordance with regulation 25.

    (4) A determination without an oral hearing may be made in the absence of any representations by the respondent.

    (5) A single qualified member of the panel may decide whether an oral hearing is or is not appropriate to determine an application[
7].

    (6) This regulation does not apply to an application to which regulation 9 (urgent IMO authorisation applications) applies.

Interim orders
     19. —(1) A tribunal may make an order on an interim basis (an "interim order")—

    (2) Where the tribunal makes an interim order without first giving the parties the opportunity to make representations with regard to making it, a party may request that the interim order be varied or set aside.

    (3) Any such request may be made—

    (4) An interim order must be recorded as soon as possible in a document which, except in the case of an order made with the consent of all parties, must give reasons for the decision to make the order.

    (5) This regulation does not apply to an IMO authorisation application.

Directions
    
20. —(1) A party may request the tribunal to give directions by order under its general power in section 230(2) of the Act.

    (2) A party to whom a direction is addressed may request the tribunal to vary it or set it aside.

    (3) A request referred to in paragraph (1) or (2) may be made—

    (4) The party making the request must specify the directions which are sought and the reasons for seeking them.

    (5) A single qualified member of the panel may give a procedural direction as to any matter which is—

    (6) In paragraph (5), "procedural direction" ("cyfarwyddyd gweithdrefnol") means any direction other than one of those set out in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 230(5) of the Act.

Inspection of premises and neighbourhood
    
21. —(1) Subject to paragraph (3) the tribunal may inspect—

    (2) Subject to paragraph (3)—

    (3) The making of and attendance at an inspection is subject to any necessary consent being obtained.

    (4) Where there is an oral hearing, an inspection may be carried out before, during, or after the hearing.

    (5) Subject to paragraph (6), the tribunal must give the parties not less than 14 days notice of the date, time and place of the inspection.

    (6) Any of the requirements for notice in paragraph (5) may be dispensed with or relaxed if the tribunal is satisfied that the parties have received sufficient notice.

    (7) Where an inspection is made after the close of an oral hearing, the tribunal may reopen the hearing on account of any matter arising from the inspection, after giving reasonable notice of the date, time and place of the reopened hearing to the parties.

Expert evidence
    
22. —(1) In this regulation "expert" ("arbenigwr") means an independent expert who is not an employee of a party.

    (2) Subject to paragraph (4) a party may adduce expert evidence, and in doing so must—

    (3) An expert's written summary of the expert's evidence must—

    (4) Where the tribunal gives a direction, under its general power in section 230(2) of the Act, that a party may not adduce expert evidence without its permission, it may specify as a condition of that permission that—

Case management conference
    
23. —(1) The tribunal may hold a case management conference.

    (2) The tribunal must give the parties not less than 7 days' notice of the date, time and place of the case management conference.

    (3) At the case management conference the tribunal may order the parties to take such steps or do such things as appear to it to be necessary or desirable for securing the just, expeditious and economical determination of the application.

    (4) The tribunal may postpone or adjourn a case management conference.

    (5) A party may be represented at a case management conference.

    (6) The functions of the tribunal under this regulation may be exercised by a single qualified member of the panel.

Other case management powers
    
24. —(1) The tribunal may—

    (2) The tribunal may exercise its powers under these Regulations in response to a request to do so or on its own initiative.

    (3) A single qualified member of the panel may exercise the powers under this regulation as to any matter which is preliminary to—

Notice of hearing
    
25. —(1) The date, time and place of a hearing is to be appointed by the tribunal.

    (2) The tribunal must give notice to the parties of the appointed date, time and place of the hearing.

    (3) Subject to paragraph (4) notice of the hearing must be given not less than 21 days before the appointed date.

    (4) In exceptional circumstances the tribunal may, without the agreement of the parties, give less than 21 days' notice of the appointed date, time and place of the hearing; but any such notice must be given as soon as practicable before the appointed date and the notice must specify what the exceptional circumstances are.

Postponement of hearing
    
26. —(1) Subject to paragraph (3) the tribunal may postpone an oral hearing.

    (2) The tribunal must give reasonable notice to the parties of the time and date to which a hearing is postponed.

    (3) Where postponement has been requested by a party the tribunal must not postpone the hearing except where it considers it is reasonable to do so having regard to—

Hearing
    
27. —(1) At a hearing—

    (2) At a hearing the tribunal may, if it is satisfied that it is just and reasonable to do so, permit a party to rely on reasons not previously stated and on evidence not previously available or not previously adduced.

    (3) The tribunal may adjourn a hearing, but if this is done at the request of a party it must consider that it is reasonable to do so having regard to—

Hearing in public or private
    
28. —(1) A hearing must be in public except where the tribunal is satisfied that in the circumstances of the case and subject to the overriding objective the hearing should be held in private.

    (2) The tribunal may decide under paragraph (1) that—

Persons entitled to be present at a hearing held in private
    
29. —(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) the following persons are entitled to attend a hearing held in private and to be present at the tribunal's deliberations with respect to the determination of the application—

    (2) None of the persons specified in paragraph (1) may take any part in the hearing or such deliberations.

    (3) The tribunal may admit persons to a hearing held in private on such terms and conditions as it considers appropriate.

Failure of a party to appear at a hearing
    
30. Where a party fails to appear at a hearing the tribunal may proceed with the hearing if—

Decisions of the Tribunal in determining applications
    
31. —(1) This regulation applies to the decision determining an application.

    (2) If a hearing was held, the decision may be given orally at the end of the hearing.

    (3) A decision must, in every case, be recorded in a document as soon as practicable after the decision has been made.

    (4) A decision given or recorded in accordance with paragraph (2) or (3) need not record the reasons for the decision.

    (5) The reasons for the decision must be recorded in a document as soon as practicable after the decision has been given or recorded.

    (6) A document recording a decision or the reasons for a decision (a "decision document"), must be signed and dated by an appropriate person.

    (7) An appropriate person may, by means of a certificate signed and dated by that person, correct any clerical mistakes in a decision document or any errors arising in it from an accidental slip or omission.

    (8) In this regulation "appropriate person" ("person priodol") means—

    (9) A copy of any decision document, and a copy of any correction certified under paragraph (7) must be sent to each party.

Costs
    
32. The tribunal must not make a determination under paragraph 12 of Schedule 13 to the Act in respect of a party without first giving that party an opportunity of making representations to the tribunal.

Withdrawal of application
    
33. —(1) Subject to paragraph (3) an applicant ("the withdrawing party") ("y parti sy'n tynnu'n ôl") may withdraw the whole or part of an application made by that applicant in accordance with paragraph (2) at any time before determination of the application.

    (2) The withdrawing party must notify withdrawal of the application by a signed and dated notice supplied to the tribunal—

    (3) In any of the circumstances set out in paragraph (4), withdrawal of the application is not effective until one of the courses of action in paragraph (5) has been carried out.

    (4) The circumstances mentioned in paragraph (3) are that—

    (5) The courses of action mentioned in paragraph (3) are that—

    (6) In giving directions under paragraph (5)(b)(ii) the tribunal may impose such conditions as it considers appropriate.

    (7) A single qualified member may give directions under paragraph (5)(b)(ii).

Enforcement
    
34. Any decision of the tribunal may, with the permission of the county court, be enforced in the same way as orders of such a court.

Permission to appeal
    
35. —(1) In this regulation "to appeal" ("apelio") means to make an appeal from a decision of the tribunal to the Lands Tribunal and "appellant" ("apelydd") bears a corresponding meaning.

    (2) Where a party makes a request to the tribunal for permission to appeal to the Lands Tribunal from a decision of the tribunal the request may be made—

    (3) A request for permission to appeal must be made within the period of 21 days starting with the date specified in the decision notice as the date on which reasons for the decision were given.

    (4) Where a request for permission to appeal is made in writing it must be signed by the appellant or the appellant's representative and must—

    (5) The decision of the tribunal on a request for permission to appeal must be recorded in writing together with the reasons for it, and the tribunal must send a copy of the decision and reasons to the appellant and to the other parties to the application which is the subject of the appeal.

    (6) A notification under paragraph (5) must, as appropriate, include a statement of any relevant statutory provision, rule or guidance relating to any further request to the Lands Tribunal for permission to appeal and of the time and place for making the further request or for giving notice of appeal.

Assistance to participants
    
36. —(1) In this regulation "participant" ("cyfranogwr") means a party or witness or other person taking part in proceedings relating to an application or to whom an order of the tribunal is addressed.

    (2) If a participant is unable to read or speak or understand the English language or Welsh, the tribunal must make arrangements for the participant to be provided, free of charge, with the necessary translations and assistance of an interpreter to enable the participant to participate effectively in the proceedings.

    (3) If a participant is without hearing or speech, the tribunal must make arrangements for the participant to be provided, free of charge, with the services of a sign language interpreter, lip speaker, or palantypist, to enable the participant to participate effectively in the proceedings.

    (4) A participant is entitled to assistance under this regulation whether or not the participant is represented.

    (5) A participant who requires assistance under this regulation must at the earliest opportunity notify the requirement to the tribunal.

Requirements for supply of notices and documents
    
37. —(1) Any document or notice required or authorised by these Regulations to be supplied to any person, whether by the tribunal, a party, or any other person, is duly supplied to that person—

    (2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(c) a person's legal representative is deemed to have given written consent if the reference or address for the means of fax or electronic communication or private document delivery system is shown on the legal representative's notepaper.

    (3) A person's proper address for the purposes of paragraph (1) is—

    (4) This paragraph applies where—

    (5) Where paragraph (4) applies, the tribunal may—

    (6) Where it is required under the Act or these Regulations that a party must provide evidence that that party has supplied any person with a document, that party may satisfy the requirement by providing a signed certificate confirming that the document was served in accordance with the requirements of this regulation.

Time
    
38. Where the time specified by these Regulations for doing any act expires on a Saturday or Sunday or public holiday, it is treated as expiring on the next following day which is not a Saturday or Sunday or public holiday.

Frivolous and vexatious applications
    
39. —(1) Subject to paragraph (2), where it appears to the tribunal that an application is frivolous or vexatious or otherwise an abuse of process, the tribunal may dismiss the application in whole or in part.

    (2) Before dismissing an application under paragraph (1) the tribunal must give notice of its intention to do so to the applicant in accordance with paragraph (3).

    (3) Any notice under paragraph (2) must state—

    (4) An application may not be dismissed under paragraph (1) unless—

Irregularities
    
40. Any irregularity resulting from failure by a party to comply with any provision of these Regulations or of any direction of the tribunal before the tribunal has determined the application does not of itself render the proceedings void.

Signature of documents
    
41. Where these Regulations require a document to be signed, that requirement is satisfied—



Signed on behalf of the National Assembly for Wales under section 66(1) of the Government of Wales Act 1998[
8]


D. Elis-Thomas
The Presiding Officer of the National Assembly

20 June 2006



SCHEDULE
regulation 2 and 6


Additional details with regard to certain applications


Applications relating to improvement notices
     1. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 10(1) of Schedule 1 to the Act (appeal against improvement notice) other than an application referred to in paragraph 2.

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     2. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to the Act which consists of or includes the ground set out in paragraph 11(1) of that Schedule (ground of appeal relating to other persons).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     3. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 13(1) of Schedule 1 to the Act (appeal against LHA's decision to vary or refuse to vary or revoke an improvement notice).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     4. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under—

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

Applications relating to prohibition orders
     5. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 22(9) of the Act (appeal against LHA's refusal to give approval of particular use under section 22(4)).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     6. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 34(2) of the Act (application by lessor or lessee for order determining or varying lease where a prohibition order has become operative).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the other party to the lease.

     7. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 7(1) of Schedule 2 to the Act (appeal against prohibition order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     8. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 9(1) of Schedule 2 to the Act (appeal against LHA's decision to vary or refuse to vary or revoke a prohibition order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

Applications relating to emergency remedial action
     9. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 45(1) of the Act (appeal by person upon whom a notice under section 41 of the Act has been served against LHA's decision to take emergency remedial action).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     10. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 45(2) of the Act (appeal by relevant person against emergency prohibition order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     11. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under—

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the person from whom the LHA seeks to recover expenses and interest.

Applications relating to demolition orders
     12. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 269(1) of the 1985 Act (appeal by person aggrieved by demolition order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     13. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 272(1) or (2)(a) of the 1985 Act (application in connection with recovery of LHA's expenses in executing demolition order under section 271 of the 1985 Act including determination of contributions by joint owners ).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the owner of the premises[9].

     14. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 272(2)(b) of the 1985 Act (application by owner of premises for determination of contribution to LHA's expenses to be paid by another owner).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the owner from whom the applicant seeks a contribution to the LHA's expenses.

     15. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 317(1) of the 1985 Act (application by lessor or lessee of premises in respect of which demolition order has become operative, for an order varying or determining the lease).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the other party to the lease.

Application relating to work on unfit premises
     16. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 318(1) of the 1985 Act (application by person with interest in premises for authorisation by tribunal of execution of works on unfit premises or for improvement).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondents are—

Applications relating to HMO licensing
     17. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 62(7) of the Act (appeal against refusal by LHA to serve a temporary exemption notice).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     18. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 73(5) of the Act (application by LHA or occupier for rent repayment order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the appropriate person[11].

     19. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 255(9) of the Act (appeal against decision of LHA to serve an HMO declaration).

    (2) The specified document is a copy of the HMO declaration.

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     20. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 256(4) of the Act (appeal against decision of LHA to refuse to revoke HMO declaration).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     21. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 31(1) of Schedule 5 to the Act (appeal against decision by LHA to grant, or refuse to grant, a licence under Part 2 of the Act, or against any of the terms of the licence).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     22. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 32(1) of Schedule 5 to the Act (appeal by licence holder or any relevant person against decision by LHA with regard to the variation or revocation of licence under Part 2 of the Act).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

Applications relating to selective licensing of other residential accommodation
     23. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 86(7) of the Act (appeal against refusal by the LHA to serve a temporary exemption notice).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     24. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 96(5) of the Act (application by LHA or occupier for a rent repayment order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the appropriate person[12].

     25. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 31 of Schedule 5 to the Act (appeal against decision by LHA to grant or refuse licence under Part 3 or relating to terms of licence).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     26. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 32(1) of Schedule 5 to the Act (appeal by licence holder or relevant person against decision by LHA relating to variation or revocation of licence under Part 3 of the Act.

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

Applications relating to interim and final management orders
     27. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 102(4) of the Act (LHA application for authorisation to make an interim management order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is a relevant person as defined in paragraph 8(4) and paragraph 35 of Schedule 6 of the Act.

     28. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 102(7) of the Act (LHA application for authorisation to make an interim management order in respect of a house to which section 103 of the Act applies).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is a relevant person as defined in paragraph 8(4) and paragraph 35 of Schedule 6 to the Act.

     29. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 105(10) of the Act (LHA application for order that an interim management order continue in force pending disposal of appeal).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the applicant who has made the relevant appeal.

     30. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 110(7) of the Act (application by relevant landlord for order regarding financial arrangements while interim management order in force).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     31. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 114(7) of the Act (LHA application for order that existing final management order continue in force pending disposal of appeal against new final management order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the applicant who has made the relevant appeal.

     32. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 120(1) of the Act (application by an affected person for order that LHA manage in accordance with management scheme in final management order).

    (2) The specified document is a copy of the final management order which contains the management scheme to which the application relates.

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     33. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 126(4) of the Act (application for adjustment of rights and liabilities with regard to furniture vested in LHA while management order in force).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the other person interested in the furniture.

     34. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 130(9) of the Act (application to determine who is "the relevant landlord" ("y landlord perthnasol") for the purposes of section 130 on termination of management order).

    (2) The specified document is a copy of the management order.

    (3) The specified respondent is the other relevant landlord[13].

     35. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 24 of Schedule 6 to the Act (appeal against making of a management order, or against the terms of the order or of associated management scheme).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     36. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 28 of Schedule 6 to the Act (appeal against LHA's decision or refusal to vary or revoke management order).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     37. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 32(2) of Schedule 6 to the Act (appeal by third party against LHA's decision under section 128 of the Act regarding compensation payable to third parties).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

Applications in relation to empty dwelling management orders
     38. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 133(1) of the Act (LHA application for authorisation to make interim EDMO).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the relevant proprietor[14].

     39. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 138(1) of the Act (application while interim EDMO in force for order that the LHA pay compensation to third party for interference with rights).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     40. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 1(7) of Schedule 7 to the Act (LHA application for order that interim EDMO continue in force pending disposal of appeal under paragraph 26 of that Schedule).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the applicant who has made the relevant appeal.

     41. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 2(3)(d) or paragraph 10(3)(d) of Schedule 7 to the Act (LHA's application for order under paragraph 22 of that Schedule determining a lease or licence while interim or final EDMO is in force).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondents are the parties to the lease or licence.

     42. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 5(7) of Schedule 7 to the Act (application by relevant proprietor for order in connection with financial arrangements while interim EDMO in force).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     43. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 9(8) of Schedule 7 to the Act (application by LHA for order that final EDMO should continue in force pending disposal of an appeal under paragraph 26).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the applicant who has made the relevant appeal.

     44. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 14(1) of Schedule 7 to the Act (application by affected person for order that LHA manage dwelling in accordance with management scheme in final EDMO).

    (2) The specified document is a copy of the final EDMO (including the management scheme).

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     45. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 26(1) of Schedule 7 to the Act (appeal against LHA's decision to make final EDMO or against terms of the order or of associated management scheme).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     46. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 30 of Schedule 7 to the Act (appeal against LHA's decision or refusal to vary or revoke interim or final EDMO).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     47. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under paragraph 34(2) of Schedule 7 to the Act (appeal against LHA's decision under section 136(4) or 138(3) of the Act in respect of compensation payable to third parties for interference with rights in consequence of final EDMO).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

Applications in relation to overcrowding notices
     48. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 143(1) of the Act (appeal by a person aggrieved by overcrowding notice).

    (2) The specified document is a copy of the overcrowding notice, or a statement by the applicant explaining the circumstances by reason of which the applicant is not able to provide a copy of this notice.

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.

     49. —(1) This paragraph applies to an application under section 144(2) (appeal by relevant person against LHA's refusal to revoke or vary an overcrowding notice, or against failure by the LHA to respond in time to an application to revoke or vary it).

    (2) The specified documents are—

    (3) The specified respondent is the LHA.



EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)


These Regulations, which apply in respect of Wales, regulate the procedure to be followed for applications and appeals (jointly referred to as applications) made to a residential property tribunal under the Housing Act 2004 ("the Act") or Part 9 of the Housing Act 1985 ("the 1985 Act"). These applications concern or relate to provisions in the Act and the 1985 Act about powers of a Local Housing Authority ("LHA") in connection with housing conditions and enforcement of housing standards, including emergency remedial action; demolition orders and slum clearance; regulation of houses in multiple occupation; management of dwellings and empty dwellings; and overcrowding.

Sections 229 and 230 of the Act make provision about the constitution of tribunals and their general powers. Schedule 13 to the 2004 Act confers on the National Assembly for Wales power to make regulations relating to the procedure of residential property tribunals and sets out the scope of those procedure regulations.

Regulation 2 defines terms used in the Regulations. The definition of "respondent" ("ymatebydd") refers to sub-paragraph (3) of each paragraph in the Schedule to the Regulations.

Regulation 3 specifies the proceedings to which the Regulations apply.

Regulation 4 sets out the overriding objective of dealing fairly and justly with applications.

Regulation 5 makes provision in connection with requests for extension of time to make an application, in those cases where the Act gives a tribunal power to permit such an extension.

Regulation 6 gives details of the information to be included with an application, and specifies additional documents for particular applications as set out in sub-paragraph (2) of each paragraph of the Schedule to the Regulations.

Regulation 7 makes provision in respect of the tribunal acknowledging an application and sending to the respondent copy documents and a notice specifying the date by which the respondent should reply to the tribunal.

Regulation 8 deals with the respondent's reply.

Regulation 9 permits the tribunal to hold an oral hearing at short notice where an LHA has applied for authorisation of an interim management order under section 102(4) or (7) of the Act, and where it appears to the tribunal on the basis of information accompanying the application that specified exceptional circumstances exist.

Regulation 10 deals with applications to be joined as a party to the proceedings.

Regulation 11 specifies circumstances where two or more separate applications, or particular issues arising in separate applications, may be determined together.

Regulation 12 provides that where an application fee is unpaid for 14 days, the application is to be treated as withdrawn unless there are reasonable grounds not to do so.

Regulation 13 enables the duty to supply a document to be satisfied by supplying it to a party's or interested person's representative where this is requested in writing.

Regulation 14 requires the tribunal to ensure that interested persons are notified of the application together with an explanation of the procedure for applying to be joined as a party.

Regulation 15 deals with distribution of relevant documents by the tribunal.

Regulations 16 and 17 deal with the tribunal's powers to order the supply of information and documents and with failure to comply with such an order.

Regulation 18 enables the tribunal to determine an application without an oral hearing. A minimum of 14 days' notice must be given to the parties of the intention to proceed in this way. The parties have a right to request an oral hearing. A single qualified member of the panel may decide that an oral hearing is appropriate.

Regulation 19 makes provision for interim orders, other than in the case of determination of an application under section 102(4) or (7) of the Act.

Regulation 20 makes procedural provision in respect of directions under the tribunal's general power in section 230(2) of the 2004 Act.

Regulation 21 deals with inspection of the premises and its neighbourhood.

Regulation 22 makes provision for adducing expert evidence to the tribunal.

Regulation 23 enables the tribunal to hold a case management conference (which is defined to include a pre-trial review) on not less than 14 days' notice to the parties, or a shorter period if agreed by the parties.

Regulation 24 gives details of the tribunal's remaining case management powers. Regulation 24(1)(a) allows it to extend the time specified in the Regulations for various steps in the action.

Regulation 25 deals with giving notice appointing the date, time and place of a hearing, and regulation 26 gives the tribunal power to postpone a hearing.

Regulation 27 sets out the tribunal's powers at a hearing, and regulation 28 makes provision as to when a hearing may be held in private as an exception to the general rule that it should be held in public.

Regulation 29 sets out the persons who are entitled to be present at hearings held in private and at the tribunal's deliberations to determine the application.

Regulation 30 enables the tribunal to proceed with a hearing in the absence of a party who fails to appear.

Regulation 31 sets out how and when the tribunal will give and record decisions and reasons.

Regulation 32 provides that the tribunal must not award costs under its powers contained in paragraph 5 of Schedule 13 to the 2004 Act without giving the party concerned the opportunity to make representations. Costs awarded may not exceed £500.

Regulation 33 specifies how an application may be withdrawn in whole or part, and stipulates circumstances in which permission of the tribunal is required for withdrawal of an application.

Regulation 34 provides for a decision of a tribunal to be enforced in the county court, with the court's leave.

Regulation 35 contains provisions relating to requests to a residential property tribunal for leave to appeal to the Lands Tribunal.

Regulation 36 requires the tribunal to make appropriate arrangements where any person taking part in the proceedings requires translation, interpretation, or other assistance to enable effective participation in the proceedings.

Regulation 37 sets out the requirements for the supply of notices or documents authorised by the Regulations to be supplied. The provision includes the circumstances in which communication by fax or electronic communication, such as email, or by a private delivery service, such as Document Exchange, will be acceptable.

Regulation 38 provides that if the time specified by these Regulations for doing any act expires on a weekend or public holiday, the act will be in time if done on the next working day.

Regulation 39 gives the tribunal power to dismiss in whole or in part any application considered frivolous, vexatious, or otherwise an abuse of process after giving notice of at least 21 days to the applicant.

Regulation 40 states that irregularities by parties will not in themselves render the proceedings void.

Regulation 41 allows mechanical or other reproduction of a signature, so long as the name of the person signing is added underneath in a way which enables the person to be identified.

The Schedule to the Regulations lists applications which may be made to a residential property tribunal and in respect of each specifies the additional documents which must be included with an application, and identifies the persons who may be named as respondents to the application.

Fees payable for certain applications to a residential property tribunal are specified in The Residential Property Tribunal (Fees) (Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1642 (W.157)), which come into force on the same date as these Regulations.

A regulatory appraisal has been carried out in connection with these Regulations and is available from the Private Sector Unit, Department for Social Justice and Regeneration, National Assembly for Wales, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ (telephone 02920825111;
email [email protected]).


Notes:

[1] 2004 c.34. The power to make regulations under Schedule 13 is, in relation to Wales, conferred on the National Assembly for Wales and in relation to England, on the Secretary of State, see the definition of "appropriate national authority" in section 261 of the Housing Act 2004.back

[2] 1985 c.68.back

[3] 2006/1642 (W.157)back

[4] For the meaning of "interim management order" see section 101(3) of the Act, and for authorisations to make such an order see section 102(4) and (7).back

[5] For the meaning of "local housing authority" see section 261(4) of the Act.back

[6] For "single qualified member of the panel" see paragraph 6(2) to (4) of Schedule 13 to the Housing Act 2004.back

[7] For definition of "single qualified member" in this context, see paragraph 10(4) of Schedule 13 to the Act.back

[8] 1998 c.38.back

[9] See section 322 of the 1985 Act which defines "owner" in relation to premises.back

[10] See section 322 of the 1985 Act which defines "owner" in relation to premises.back

[11] See section 73(1) of the Act for the definition of "the appropriate person".back

[12] See section 73(1) of the Act for the definition of "the appropriate person".back

[13] See section 130(11) for the definition of "relevant landlord".back

[14] See section 132(4)(c) for the definition of "relevant proprietor".back



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Prepared 3 July 2006


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