290Duty of local housing authority to publicise availability of assistance
(1)A local authority shall, within the period of 3 months beginning with the coming into operation of—
(a)a designation under section 257 (designation of defective dwellings by Secretary of State) or section 287 (designation of defective dwellings under local scheme), or
(b)a variation of such a designation,
publish in a newspaper circulating in their area notice suitable for the purpose of bringing the effect of the designation or variation to the attention of persons who may be eligible for assistance in respect of such of the dwellings concerned as are situated within their area.
(2)No such notice need be published by a local housing authority who are of opinion—
(a)that none of the dwellings concerned are situated in their area, or
(b)that no-one is likely to be eligible for assistance in respect of the dwellings concerned which are situated in their area.
(3)If at any time it becomes apparent to a local authority that a person is likely to be eligible for assistance in respect of a defective dwelling within their area, they shall forthwith take such steps as are reasonably practicable to inform him of the fact that assistance is available.