Housing Act 1985

Supplementary provisionsE+W

319 Powers of entry.E+W

(1)A person authorised by the local housing authority or the Secretary of State may at any reasonable time, on giving [F1seven days] notice of his intention to the occupier, and to the owner if the owner is known, enter premises—

(a)for the purpose of survey and examination where it appears to the authority or the Secretary of State that survey or examination is necessary in order to determine whether any powers under this Part should be exercised in respect of the premises; or

(b)for the purpose of survey and examination where a demolition or closing order, or an obstructive building order, has been made in respect of the premises; or

(c)for the purpose of survey or valuation where the authority are authorised by this Part to purchase the premises compulsorily.

(2)An authorisation for the purposes of this section shall be in writing stating the particular purpose or purposes for which the entry is authorised [F2and shall, if so required, be produced for inspection by the occupier or anyone acting on his behalf].

320 Penalty for obstruction.E+W

(1)It is a summary offence [F3intentionally] to obstruct an officer of the local housing authority or of the Secretary of State, or any person authorised to enter premises in pursuance of this Part, in the performance of anything which he is by this Part required or authorised to do.

(2)A person committing such an offence is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding [F4level 3] on the standard scale.

321. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F5E+W

322 Minor definitions.E+W

In this Part—

  • [F6dwelling-house” and “flat”, except in the expression “flat in multiple occupation”, shall be construed in accordance with subsection (2) and “the building”, in relation to a flat, means the building containing the flat;]

  • [F6house in multiple occupation” and “flat in multiple occupation” have the same meaning as in Part XI]

  • owner”, in relation to premises—

(a)means a person (other than a mortgagee not in possession) who is for the time being entitled to dispose of the fee simple in the premises, whether in possession or in reversion, and

(b)includes also a person holding or entitled to the rents and profits of the premises under a lease of which the unexpired term exceeds three years;

  • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F7

  • [F8premises”, in relation to a demolition or closing order, means the dwelling-house, house in multiple occupation, building or part of a building in respect of which the closing order or, as the case may be, demolition order is made.]

[F9(2)For the purposes of this Part, “dwelling-house” includes any yard, garden, outhouses and appurtenances belonging to it or usually enjoyed with it and section 183 shall have effect to determine whether a dwelling-house is a flat.

(3)Except where the context otherwise requires, any reference in this Part (other than this section) to a flat is a reference to a dwelling-house which is a flat or to a flat in multiple occupation.]

323 Index of defined expressions: Part IX.E+W

The following Table shows provisions defining or otherwise explaining expressions used in this Part (other than provisions defining or explaining an expression used in the same section or paragraph):—

[F10assured agricultural occupancy][F10section 622]
[F10assured tenancy][F10section 622]
clearance areasection 289(1)
closing ordersection 267(2)
demolition ordersection 267(1)
district (of a local housing authority)section 2(1)
[F11dwelling house][F11sections 266 and 322]
fit (or unfit) for human habitation[F12section 604]
. . . F13 . . . F13
[F11flat][F11section 322]
. . . F13 . . . F13
. . . F13 . . . F13
[F11house in multiple occupation][F11section 322]
. . . F13 . . . F13
lease, lessee and lessorsection 621
listed buildingsection 303
local housing authoritysection 1, 2(2)
obstructive buildingsection 283
obstructive building ordersection 284
owner (of premises)section 322
. . . F13 . . . F13
[F11premises][F11section 322]
prescribedsection 614
reasonable expensesection 321
rehabilitation orderSchedule 11
the Rent Actssection 622
. . . F13 . . . F13
. . . F13 . . . F13
standard scale (in reference to the maximum fine on summary conviction)section 622
underground roomsection 280
unfit (or fit) for human habitation[F12section 604]
. . . F13 . . . F13