Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023: Part 10

Part 10 of the Act aims to give local authorities additional powers to designate certain streets and areas as “high streets” and “town centres”. This designation would grant the local authority the following powers if a property has been vacant for an extended period of time:

• Power to enter into a contract for tenancy (also known as an agreement for lease); and
• Power to grant a tenancy on behalf of the landlord.

A landlord would then be bound to enter into a lease on the agreed terms. This has the potential to reduce landlord’s power and control over vacant properties and could increase prospective tenants bargaining power for properties within the designated areas.

Further details will be set out in separate regulations, but no regulations have been published so far.