Part 2Regulation of Social Housing
Chapter 7Enforcement powers
Suspension and removal of officers of ... registered providers
259Suspension during inquiry
(1)
The regulator may make an order under this section if—
(a)
an inquiry under section 206 is in progress in respect of a F1private registered provider, and
(b)
F2any of the following cases applies.
(2)
Case 1 applies if the regulator F3is satisfied—
(a)
that the affairs of the registered provider have been mismanaged, and
(b)
that the interests of tenants of the registered provider, or its assets, require protection.
(3)
Case 2 applies if as a result of an inquirer's interim report under section 207 the regulator is satisfied F4that—
(a)
the affairs of the registered provider have been mismanaged, or
(b)
the registered provider has failed to meet a standard under section 193, 194 or 194C.
F5(3A)
Case 3 applies if the regulator is satisfied that an officer, employee or agent of the registered provider is obstructing, or failing to co-operate with, the inquiry.
F6(4)
The regulator may by order—
(a)
where Case 1 or Case 2 applies, suspend any officer, employee or agent of the registered provider who it thinks has contributed to the mismanagement or failure, or
(b)
where Case 3 applies, suspend the officer, employee or agent who it thinks is obstructing, or failing to co-operate with, the inquiry.
F7(5)
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(6)
An order ceases to have effect at the end of the period of 6 months beginning with the day on which the inquirer's final report under section 207 is made.
(7)
But the regulator may revoke an order before the end of that period.
F8(7A)
If the regulator makes an order, the regulator must—
(a)
take all reasonable steps to notify the person suspended, and
(b)
notify the registered provider.
(8)
The regulator shall notify the Charity Commission if it suspends an officer, employee or agent of a registered charity.