Minimum period for applications to remain in force - suspensions under section 20B of the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987: statutory guidance

5. Terminology

5.1 Section 20(2)(b) of the 1987 Act and the amendment to it in the 2014 Act do not use the term ‘suspension’. Section 20(2)(b) as amended states that a social landlord shall not impose a requirement “except to the extent permitted by section 20B that an application must have remained in force for a minimum period” before an applicant is eligible for the allocation of housing.

5.2 This guidance refers to this as a suspension for ease of reference and in line with common practice. This guidance only covers suspensions which may be imposed under section 20B.