s 89 Application of right of first refusal in relation to contracts.
(1) After section 4 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (relevant disposals) insert— Application of provisions to contracts. (4A) (1) The provisions of this Part apply to a contract to create or transfer an estate or interest in land, whether conditional or unconditional and whether or not enforceable by specific performance, as they apply in relation to a disposal consisting of the creation or transfer of such an estate or interest. As they so apply— (a) references to a disposal of any description shall be construed as references to a contract to make such a disposal; (b) references to making a disposal of any description shall be construed as references to entering into a contract to make such a disposal; and (c) references to the transferee under the disposal shall be construed as references to the other party to the contract and include a reference to any other person to whom an estate or interest is to be granted or transferred in pursuance of the contract. (2) The provisions of this Part apply to an assignment of rights under such a contract as is mentioned in subsection (1) as they apply in relation to a disposal consisting of the transfer of an estate or interest in land. As they so apply— (a) references to a disposal of any description shall be construed as references to an assignment of rights under a contract to make such a disposal; (b) references to making a disposal of any description shall be construed as references to making an assignment of rights under a contract to make such a disposal; (c) references to the landlord shall be construed as references to the assignor; and (d) references to the transferee under the disposal shall be construed as references to the assignee of such rights. (3) The provisions of this Part apply to a contract to make such an assignment as is mentioned in subsection (2) as they apply (in accordance with subsection (1)) to a contract to create or transfer an estate or interest in land. (4) Nothing in this section affects the operation of the provisions of this Part relating to options or rights of pre-emption. (2) In section 4(2) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 (relevant disposals: excluded disposals), for paragraph (i) (certain disposals in pursuance of existing obligations) substitute— (i) a disposal in pursuance of a contract, option or right of pre-emption binding on the landlord (except as provided by section 8D (application of sections 11 to 17 to disposal in pursuance of option or right of pre-emption)); (3) In section 20(1) (interpretation), in the definition of “disposal” for “has the meaning given by section 4(3)” substitute “ shall be construed in accordance with section 4(3) and section 4A (application of provisions to contracts) ” .