Local Government and Housing Act 1989

97 Powers of entry and penalty for obstruction

(1) A person authorised by the local housing authority or the Secretary of State may at any reasonable time, on giving not less than seven 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; or

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

(2) An authorisation for the purposes of this section—

(a) shall be in writing stating the particular purpose or purposes for which the entry is authorised; and

(b) shall, if so required, be produced for inspection by the occupier or anyone acting on his behalf.

(3) It is a summary offence intentionally to obstruct an officer of the local housing authority or of the Secretary of State, or a person authorised to enter premises under subsection (1) above, in the performance of anything which that officer, authority or person is by this Part required or authorised to do.

(4) A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) above is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

(5) In this section “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 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.