Section 1: Fitness for human habitation 9B Leases to which section 9A applies
Section 9B(1) states that the inserted section 9A of the LTA 1985 ("section 9A") applies to a lease under which a dwelling is rented out wholly or mainly for human habitation and:
the term of the lease is less than 7 years, or
the lease is for a secure, assured or introductory tenancy for a fixed term of 7 years or more.
	Section 9B(2) provides that section 9A does not apply to any lease of a type mentioned in section 14 of the LTA 1985.
	Section 9B(3) states that except as specified in section 9B(4), (5) and (6), section 9A does not apply to a lease granted:
before the commencement date of that section, or
on or after that date, where the agreement was entered into, or an order of the court made, before the commencement date.
	Section 9B(4) provides that section 9A makes provision in relation to a periodic or secure tenancy that is in existence on the commencement date and provides that for such tenancies:
the requirement to ensure the property is fit for human habitation at the time the lease is granted or when it begins is instead a requirement to ensure that it is fit at the time that begins 12 months after the coming into force of section 9A; and
imposes the covenant to ensure the property is kept fit for human habitation only from 12 months after the coming into force of section 9A. This allows time for compliance in relation to existing tenancies.
	Section 9B(5) provides that section 9A applies to a periodic or a secure tenancy that comes into existence after the commencement date on expiry of a lease granted before that commencement date.
	Section 9B(6) provides that where a lease for a fixed term:
is granted or renewed before the commencement date of this legislation, and
is renewed for a further fixed term after that date;
the renewal referred to in paragraph (b) is to be treated as a grant of the lease after that date, at which point the covenant will apply.
	Section 9B(7) makes clear that for the purposes of the requirement that a property is fit for human habitation at the start of the tenancy and throughout, it is immaterial:
whether the dwelling is to be occupied under the lease or under an inferior lease derived out of it, or
that the lease also includes other property, which may consist of or include one or more other dwellings.
	Section 9B(8) provides that in determining for the purposes of section 9B(1)(a) whether a lease is for a term of less than 7 years:
the lease is to be treated as a lease for a term commencing with the grant of the lease;
a lease which can be terminated at the option of the landlord before the expiry of 7 years is to be treated as a lease for less than 7 years;
a lease other than one to which paragraph (b) applies is not to be treated as a lease for a term of less than 7 years if it confers on the tenant an option for renewal for a term which, together with the original term, amounts to 7 years or more.
	Section 9B(9) provides definitions to apply in relation to section 9B:
	"the commencement date" means the date on which the Act comes into force;
	"secure tenancy" has the meaning given by section 79 of the Housing Act 1985.
	Section 9C restates section 9 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, which will now only apply in relation to Wales.