Commentary on Sections Exercise of right to buy: date of entry and payment of price
124.Section 54 of the Act amends section 56 of the 2003 Act which sets out the time limits which apply to a community body in respect of payment of the price for the land.
125.Subsection (3) of section 56 of the 2003 Act provides that where the valuation figure is not being appealed under section 62 of the 2003 Act and where the time limit has not been extended by agreement, the price must be paid within 6 months of the date on which the community body confirmed its intention to proceed with the community right to buy in response to a notice under section 49(2)(a) of the 2003 Act or, in the case of a late application, within 6 months of the date of Ministers decision to register that interest in land. Section 54(a) of the Act extends this time period from 6 months to 8 months.
126.Section 54(b) of the Act provides for a new subsection (7) in section 56 of the 2003 Act. Where an extension to the 8-month period provided for in the amended section 56(3)(a) of the 2003 Act is required (such extension being permitted by section 56(3)(c) of the 2003 Act), the extension must be agreed, by both parties (landowner and community body), before the 8-month period ends. The community body must notify Ministers of any extension within 7 days of that agreement being made, including when that agreement was made and what that later extended date is. Evidence of such an agreement will be required by Ministers.