Part 7

Supplementary and final provisions

Information provisions

Use of information obtained for certain other statutory purposes
237
1
A local housing authority may use any information to which this section applies—
a
for any purpose connected with the exercise of any of the authority’s functions under any of Parts 1 to 4 in relation to any premises,
aa
for any purpose connected with the exercise of any of the authority’s functions under or by virtue of Part 7 in relation to any qualifying residential premises within the meaning given by section 2B,
ab
for any purpose connected with any of the authority’s functions under or by virtue of the following in relation to any premises—
- sections 1 and 1A of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977,
- Chapter 1 of Part 1 of the Housing Act 1988,
- section 83(1) or 84(1) of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013,
- sections 21 to 23, 41 and 133 to 135 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016,
- Chapter 3 of Part 1 and Part 2 of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025,
or
b
for the purpose of investigating whether any offence has been committed under any provision mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (ab) in relation to premises or qualifying residential premises (as the case may be).
2
This section applies to any information which has been obtained by the authority in the exercise of functions under—
a
section 134 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5) (housing benefit), or
b
Part 1 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (c. 14) (council tax).
3
The Secretary of State may by regulations amend this section so as to change the list of purposes for which a local housing authority in England may use information to which it applies.
S. 237 wholly in force at 25.11.2005; s. 237 not force at Royal Assent see s. 270(4)(5); s. 237 in force for E. at 15.6.2005 by S.I. 2005/1451, art. 3(e); s. 237 in force for W. at 25.11.2005 by S.I. 2005/3237, art. 2(h)
S. 237(3) inserted (6.4.2017) by Housing and Planning Act 2016 (c. 22), ss. 129(2), 216(3); S.I. 2017/281, reg. 4(g)
S. 237(1)(aa)(ab) inserted (27.12.2025) by Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), ss. 134(5), 145(5)(d) (with s. 138)
Words in s. 237(1)(b) substituted (27.12.2025) by Renters’ Rights Act 2025 (c. 26), ss. 134(6), 145(5)(d) (with s. 138)