Subsection (1) provides that, for the purposes of the relevant provisions (listed in subsection (2)), a fixed term assured tenancy and a periodic tenancy that arises on its expiry by virtue of section 5 of the Housing Act 1988 (a "statutory periodic tenancy") are to be treated as a single assured tenancy which started at the beginning of the fixed term. This has implications for when certain timeframes set out in the Act run from, including time periods inserted into section 14 of that Act by section 7 in respect of challenges to rent amounts and increases, the restrictions on which dates can be specified in section 8 notices using certain possession grounds in the Housing Act 1988 and whether a landlord must re-issue a statement of terms at the end of a fixed term under new section 16(D) of the Housing Act 1988 inserted by section 12. This provision means that the new tenancy system will apply to the tenancy when it becomes a periodic tenancy, but it is not to be treated as a new tenancy starting at the expiry of the fixed term.
	Subsections (3) to (6) provide an affirmative procedure power so that the Secretary of State can amend the definition of "relevant provisions" in subsection (2) via regulations.
Part 5: General Section 147: Fixed term assured tenancy and statutory periodic tenancy to be treated as single assured tenancy Effect