ABSTRACT
The Housing Act 1996 imposes different duties upon housing authorities according to the needs of the area and to the eligibility of those who apply as homeless. All housing authorities are now required to keep a register of those who apply to them for housing; this register is then used to allocate either secure or introductory tenancies and to make nomination to registered social landlords, such as housing associations, for new tenancies. The guidance urges local authorities, housing associations and the police to work together with the Probation Service and community organizations in developing local strategies to deter and respond to anti-social behaviour. Housing law contains provisions to deal with anti-social behaviour. Local authorities have had statutory duties towards homeless families since the Housing Act of 1977, but the extent of that duty has been modified by the current legislation which is the Housing Act 1996 Part VII.
