Section 239: Powers of entry, Housing Act 2004

Subsection (3) applies where the local housing authority consider that a survey or examination of any premises is necessary and any of the following conditions is met —

the authority consider that the survey or examination is necessary in order to carry out an inspection under section 4(1) or otherwise to determine whether any functions under any of Parts 1 to 4 or this Part should be exercised in relation to the premises;

the premises are (within the meaning of Part 1) specified premises in relation to an improvement notice or prohibition order;

a management order is in force under Chapter 1 or 2 of Part 4 in respect of the premises.

Subsection (3) also applies where the proper officer of the local housing authority considers that a survey or examination of any premises is necessary in order to carry out an inspection under section 4(2).

Where this subsection applies—

a person authorised by the local housing authority (in a case within subsection (1)), or

the proper officer (in a case within subsection (2)),

may enter the premises in question at any reasonable time for the purpose of carrying out a survey or examination of the premises.

If—

an interim or final management order is in force under Chapter 1 of Part 4 in respect of any premises consisting of part of a house ("the relevant premises"), and

another part of the house is excluded from the order by virtue of section 102(8) or 113(7),

the power of entry conferred by subsection (3) is exercisable in relation to any premises comprised in that other part so far as is necessary for the purpose of carrying out a survey or examination of the relevant premises.

Before entering any premises in exercise of the power conferred by subsection (3), the authorised person or proper officer must have given at least 24 hours' notice of his intention to do so—

to the owner of the premises (if known), and

to the occupier (if any).

In relation to any qualifying residential premises within the meaning given by section 2B, notice need not be given—

to any owner;

to any occupier who has waived the requirement to give notice.

If—

premises are entered in exercise of the power conferred by subsection (3), and

notice is not given to any person because of subsection (5A)(a),

the authorised person or proper officer must give that person notice of the exercise of that power within a reasonable period after its exercise.

The notice must—

identify the premises that were entered,

state when the premises were entered, and

state the purpose for which the premises were entered.

Subsection (7) applies where the local housing authority consider that any premises need to be entered for the purpose of ascertaining whether an offence has been committed under section 72, 95 or 234(3).

A person authorised by the local housing authority may enter the premises for that purpose—

at any reasonable time, but

without giving any prior notice as mentioned in subsection (5).

A person exercising the power of entry conferred by subsection (3) or (7) may do such of the following as he thinks necessary for the purpose for which the power is being exercised—

take other persons with him;

take equipment or materials with him;

take measurements or photographs or make recordings;

leave recording equipment on the premises for later collection;

take samples of any articles or substances found on the premises.

An authorisation for the purposes of this section—

must be in writing; and

must state the particular purpose or purposes for which the entry is authorised.

A person authorised for the purposes of this section must, if required to do so, produce his authorisation for inspection by the owner or any occupier of the premises or anyone acting on his behalf.

If the premises are unoccupied or the occupier is temporarily absent, a person exercising the power of entry conferred by subsection (3) or (7) must leave the premises as effectively secured against trespassers as he found them.

In this section "occupier", in relation to premises, means a person who occupies the premises, whether for residential or other purposes.

Section 239: Powers of entry

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