Section 20B Demoted assured shorthold tenanciesF1F2
England and Wales
An assured tenancy is an assured shorthold tenancy to which this section applies (a demoted assured shorthold tenancy) if—
the tenancy is created by virtue of an order of the court under section 82A of the Housing Act 1985 or section 6A of this Act (a demotion order), and
the landlord is F3a private registered provider of social housing or a registered social landlord.
At the end of the period of one year starting with the day when the demotion order takes effect a demoted assured shorthold tenancy ceases to be an assured shorthold tenancy unless subsection (3) appliesF4, but see section 20C.
This subsection applies if before the end of the period mentioned in subsection (2) the landlord gives notice of proceedings for possession of the dwelling house.
If subsection (3) applies the tenancy continues to be a demoted assured shorthold tenancy until the end of the period mentioned in subsection (2) or (if later) until one of the following occurs—
the notice of proceedings for possession is withdrawn;
the proceedings are determined in favour of the tenant;
the period of six months beginning with the date on which the notice is given ends and no proceedings for possession have been brought.
Registered social landlord has the same meaning as in Part 1 of the Housing Act 1996.
Annotations
Textual amendments
- F1
Pt. 1 Ch. 2 omitted (1.5.2026 for specified purposes) by virtue of Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), ss. 2(b), 145(1)(8) (with ss. 138, 146(1), 147(1)(2), Sch. 6 paras. 1, 3, 4, 16, 17); S.I. 2026/421, reg. 2(a)
- F2
S. 20B inserted (30.6.2004 for E. and 30.4.2005 for W.) by Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 (c. 38), ss. 15, 93; S.I. 2004/1502, art. 2(a)(iv) (with savings in Sch.); S.I. 2005/1225, art. 2(c)
- F3
Words in s. 20B(1) inserted (1.4.2010) by The Housing and Regeneration Act 2008 (Consequential Provisions) Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/866), art. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 65 (with art. 6, Sch. 3)
- F4
Words in s. 20B(2) inserted (1.4.2012) by Localism Act 2011 (c. 20), ss. 163(1), 240(2); S.I. 2012/628, art. 6(c) (with arts. 9 11 14 15 17)
Notes on Part I
Modifications
- C1
Part I (ss. 1–45) modified by S.I. 1990/776, arts. 2(2), 5(2)(b) and excluded by Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (c. 8, SIF 123:1), s. 242
- C2
Part I (ss. 1–45) applied by National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 (c. 19, SIF 113:2), s. 60(2), Sch. 8, para. 19(3)
- C3
Part I (ss. 1-45) definition applied (1.12.1991) by Water Industry Act 1991 (c. 56, SIF 130), ss. 167(3), 223(2), Sch. 11 para. 10 (with ss. 82(3), 186(1), 222(1), Sch. 14 para. 6)
- C4
Pt. I (ss. 1-45) definition applied (1.12.1991) by Water Resources Act 1991 (c. 57, SIF 130), ss. 168(3), 225(2), Sch. 19 para. 10 (with ss. 15(6), 179, 222(3), 224(1), Sch. 22 para. 1, Sch. 23 para. 6)
- C5
Pt. I (ss. 1-45) restricted (1.11.1993) by 1993 c. 28, s. 59(2)(c)(iii); S.I. 1993/2134, arts. 2, 5
Pt. I (ss. 1-45) excluded (3.3.1997) by 1985 c. 68, s. 348D(5) (as inserted (3.3.1997) by 1996 c. 52, s. 67(1) (with s. 70); S.I. 1997/350, art. 2
Pt. I (ss. 1-45) modified (1.10.1996) by 1996 c. 27, s. 30(4)(b); S.I. 1996/2402, art. 3 (subject to transitional provisions in Sch.)
- C6
Pt. 1 excluded (6.4.2006 for E. and 16.6.2006 for W.) by Housing Act 2004 (c. 34), ss. 33, 270(3); S.I. 2006/1060, art. 2(1)(a) (with Sch.); S.I. 2006/1535, art. 2(a) (with Sch.)