Part 3Overcrowding statutory notices
27Power to obtain information
1
A local authority may, for the purpose of enabling it to discharge its functions under this Part, serve a notice on a person falling within subsection (2) (referred to as “A”) requiring A to provide the authority with any of the information mentioned in subsection (3).
2
A person falls within this subsection if the person appears to the local authority to—
a
own, occupy or have any other interest in a house in the local authority's area, or
b
act in relation to the lease or occupancy arrangement to which any such house is subject.
3
The information is—
a
confirmation of the nature of A's interest in the house,
b
the name and address of, and information about A's relationship with, any other person whom A knows to—
i
own, occupy or have any other interest in the house, or
ii
act in relation to the lease or occupancy arrangement to which the house is subject,
c
such other information relating to the house, or such other person, as the local authority may reasonably require.
4
A person commits an offence if the person—
a
without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a requirement of a notice served on the person under subsection (1), or
b
knowingly or recklessly provides information which is false or misleading in a material respect to a local authority or other person—
i
in purported compliance with a requirement of such a notice, or
ii
otherwise if the person knows, or could reasonably be expected to know, that the information may be used by, or provided to, a local authority for the purpose of the discharge of its functions under this Part.
5
A person guilty of an offence under subsection (4) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale.