PART 5

Housing, estate agents and rentcharges: other changes

Housing information in England

Tenancy deposit information
128
1
The Housing Act 2004 is amended as follows.
2
In section 212 (tenancy deposit schemes), after subsection (6) insert—
6A
For further provision about what must be included in the arrangements, see section 212A.
3
After section 212 insert—

Provision of information to local authorities
212A
1
Arrangements under section 212(1) made by the Secretary of State must require the scheme administrator—
a
to give a local housing authority in England any specified information that they request, or
b
to provide facilities for the sharing of specified information with a local housing authority in England.
2
In subsection (1) “specified information” means information, of a description specified in the arrangements, that relates to a tenancy of premises in the local housing authority's area.
3
Arrangements made by virtue of this section may make the requirement to provide information or facilities to a local housing authority conditional on the payment of a fee.
4
Arrangements made by virtue of this section may include supplementary provision, for example about—
a
the form or manner in which any information is to be provided,
b
the time or times at which it is to be provided, and
c
the notification of anyone to whom the information relates.
5
Information obtained by a local housing authority by virtue of this section may be used only—
a
for a purpose connected with the exercise of the authority's functions under any of Parts 1 to 4 in relation to any premises, or
b
for the purpose of investigating whether an offence has been committed under any of those Parts in relation to any premises.
6
Information obtained by a local housing authority by virtue of this section may be supplied to a person providing services to the authority for a purpose listed in subsection (5).
7
The Secretary of State may by regulations amend the list of purposes in subsection (5).
4
In section 250(6) (affirmative instruments), after paragraph (b) insert—
ba
regulations under section 212A,
.
S. 128 in force at 6.4.2017 by S.I. 2017/281, reg. 4(g)