If a person (an "applicant") applies to a local housing authority for accommodation, or for assistance in obtaining accommodation, and the authority have reason to believe that he may be homeless or threatened with homelessness, they shall make such inquiries as are necessary to satisfy themselves as to whether he is homeless or threatened with homelessness.
If they are so satisfied, they shall make any further inquiries necessary to satisfy themselves as to—
whether he has a priority need, and
whether he became homeless or threatened with homelessness intentionally;
and if they think fit they may also make inquiries as to whether he has a local connection with the district of another local housing authority in England, Wales or Scotland.