PART 2

HOMELESSNESS
CHAPTER 2

HELP FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS OR THREATENED WITH HOMELESSNESS

General

False statements, withholding information and failure to disclose change of circumstances
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1
It is an offence for a person, with intent to induce a local housing authority to believe in connection with the exercise of its functions under this Chapter that the person or another person is entitled to accommodation or assistance in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, or is entitled to accommodation or assistance of a particular description—
a
knowingly or recklessly to make a statement which is false in a material particular, or
b
knowingly to withhold information which the authority has reasonably required the person to give in connection with the exercise of those functions.
2
If before an applicant receives notification of the local housing authority’s decision on the application there is any change of facts material to the case, the applicant must notify the authority as soon as possible.
3
The authority must explain to every applicant, in ordinary language, the duty imposed by subsection (2) and the effect of subsection (4).
4
A person who fails to comply with subsection (2) after being given the explanation required by subsection (3) commits an offence.
5
In proceedings against a person for an offence committed under subsection (4) it is a defence that the person had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply.
6
A person guilty of an offence under this section is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale.