The Housing Bill 1996 does not give a complete picture of the government's current housing plans.

The 'Housing investment trust' proposals announced in last year's white paper, 'Our future homes', are contained in the Finance Bill.

The Government's pledge to legislate in order to curb malpractice by some freeholders has yet to find its way into the Housing Bill and full details of some of the Bill's provisions will only be known after draft secondary legislation becomes available.Neither does the eight-part Bill include some of the proposals which attracted attention last year.

The most contentious of the government's plans -- to reduce public obligations to the homeless -- remains intact.

But ordinary private developers will not, after all, be allowed to compete with housing associations for public housing grants.

Other policies, such as a new right to buy for housing association tenants, have been modified.Pt II, which deals with houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), will strengthen and streamline local authority procedures for dealing with HMOs.

New schemes for the registration of HMOs will be taken forward.

Since reports reveal that many HMOs contain very poor quality accommodation, often sub-standard with ineffective fire safety precautions, the government may face calls to extend regulatory powers further.Pt III, concerning landlords and tenants, announces important changes to the rules governing assured tenancies.

All new tenancies will automatically be assured shortholds unless the landlord notifies the tenant that the letting is to be assured.

Although it is expected that registered social landlords will notify their new tenants that they are assured, other landlords who let only on shortholds will no doubt welcome this change.

The requirement to inform private tenants in writing of their very limited security performed a useful function.

Repealing it does little to enhance the position of tenants and makes the term 'assured' seem superfluous.Landlords will also have a mandatory possession claim where there are arrears of rent of two months -- as opposed to three months at present -- for monthly tenancies, or eight weeks -- as opposed to 13 weeks -- for weekly or fortnightly tenancies.Pt V, which concerns the conduct of tenants, introduces new measures designed to combat anti-social behaviour on estates run by local authorities and other landlords.

Local authorities and housing action trusts can elect to make all new lettings 'introductory'.

Introductory tenancies, or licences, cannot become secure until after a 'trial period' of 12 months.

Possession can be recovered during the trial period provided notice is given to the tenant explaining the reasons for seeking possession.

The tenant will have the right to ask the authority to reconsider, but will have no defence to a possession claim if the authority decides to recover possession.

Most landlords will be able to seek possession using a wider nuisance ground which will cover misbehaviour by a tenant's visitors in the dwelling and its vicinity.

Proceedings based on nuisance will be able to be brought at an earlier stage than now.

Local authorities and registered social landlords will also be able to seek possession where an occupant has left because of her partner's violence if she does not wish to return and the remaining partner is underoccupying.Pt VII, on homelessness, says that persons who are unintentionally homeless and in priority need will be eligible for local authority assistance, provided there is no alternative accommodation available to them in the locality.

Asylum-seekers, and others from abroad -- who will be treated as 'ineligible for social assistance' under regulations made by the secretary of state -- will cease to be eligible for as sistance if they are homeless.James Driscoll is a consultant with Trowers & Hamlins.HOUSING BILL: MAIN POINTS-- The social rented sectorThe Housing Corporation's powers to monitor 'social landlords' are upgraded.

Eligibility for registration is extended to non-profit, non-charitable companies.

A new right to buy is introduced for housing association tenants.The Housing Corporation will have powers to appoint a manager where an association is likely to become insolvent.

Schemes for a housing ombudsman to investigate complaints against housing associations are introduced.-- Houses in multiple occupationLocal authority powers to regulate houses in multiple occupation are amended.-- Rented accommodationThe rules governing assured and assured shorthold tenancies are changed.

Mandatory rent arrears possession claims are available for smaller amounts.

New ground for possession for assured tenancies is introduced.'Introductory tenancies' for local authorities are introduced.New and expanded possession grounds in cases of anti-social conduct and domestic violence and powers of arrest for anti-social behaviour are introduced.-- Allocation of housing accommodationNew local authority housing registers.-- HomelessnessLocal authority duties are to be modified.

Homeless applicants with priority need only are entitled to limited assistance.

Asylum seekers and others from abroad will have no housing rights.