9Power of entryE+W
(1)An authorised officer of a local authority may enter premises at any reasonable time if the officer—
(a)has reasonable grounds for believing that an offence under section 5 has been committed in the area of the local authority, and
(b)considers it necessary to enter the premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether such an offence has been committed.
(2)This does not apply in relation to residential premises.
(3)An authorised officer of a local authority may not enter premises by force under this section.
(4)Before entering premises under this section an authorised officer must, if asked to do so, show documentary evidence of the authorisation referred to in section 7(2).
(5)For the purposes of this section and sections 10 and 11, “residential premises” means premises, or any part of premises, used wholly or mainly as a dwelling.
Commencement Information
I1S. 9 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 22(2)
I2S. 9 in force at 30.10.2023 by S.I. 2023/1149, art. 2(g)