Received Royal Assent on 18 November 2004. Replaces the existing housing fitness standard with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System, introduces two new licensing regimes for private rented properties; a new requirement for sellers or estate agents to produce a home information pack before marketing any residential property for sale; and an ombudsman scheme for estate agents. Other provisions include changing the right to buy scheme, strengthening the rights of mobile home owners, extending the power of the Housing Corporation to give social housing grant to non-registered social landlords and enabling local authorities to secure occupation of long-term empty private sector homes. Also establishes tenancy deposit schemes to safeguard deposits paid in connection with assured shorthold tenancies and requires local housing authorities to assess the accommodation needs of gypsies and travellers in their area and produce a strategy on how these needs can be met. All provisions of the Act apply to England and Wales with two exceptions, section 228 and Schedule 12, which make amendments to the Housing Act 1996 so as to provide for a Social Housing Ombudsman for Wales. These amended provisions will only apply in relation to Wales.