Housing Act 1996

Inquiry E+W

20 (1) The [F1 Relevant Authority] may direct an inquiry into the affairs of a registered social landlord if it appears to the [F1 Relevant Authority] that there may have been misconduct or mismanagement. E+W

For this purpose “misconduct” includes any failure to comply with the requirements of this Part of this Act.

(2) Any such inquiry shall be conducted by one or more persons appointed by the [F1 Relevant Authority].

(3) If one person is appointed [F2 by the Housing Corporation to conduct an inquiry] he must be a person who is not a member or an employee of the [F3 Housing Corporation] and has not been such a member or employee within the previous five years; and if more than one person is [F2 so] appointed at least one of them must be such a person.

(4) If the [F1 Relevant Authority] so directs, or if during the course of the inquiry the person or persons conducting the inquiry consider it necessary, the inquiry shall extend to the affairs of any other body which at any material time is or was a subsidiary or associate of the registered social landlord.

[F4 (4A) The person or persons conducting the inquiry may determine the procedure to be followed in connection with the inquiry.]

(5) The person or persons conducting the inquiry may, if they think fit during the course of the inquiry, make one or more interim reports on such matters as appear to them to be appropriate.

(6) On completion of the inquiry the person or persons conducting the inquiry shall make a final report on such matters as the [F1 Relevant Authority] may specify.

(7) An interim or final report shall be in such form as the [F1 Relevant Authority] may specify [F5 , and the Relevant Authority may arrange for the whole or part of an interim or final report to be published in such manner as it considers appropriate. ]

[F6 (8) A local authority may, if they think fit, contribute to the expenses of the Relevant Authority in connection with any inquiry under this paragraph.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in Pt. I substituted (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 140, Sch. 16 para. 82(1)(2) (with ss. 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art.5.

F2 Words in Sch. 1 para. 20(3) inserted (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 140, Sch. 16 para. 96(5)(a)(c) (with ss. 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art.5.

F3 Words in Sch. 1 para. 20(3) substituted (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 38, s. 140, Sch. 16 para. 96(5)(b) (with ss. 139(2), 141(1), 143(2)); S.I. 1998/2244, art.5.

F4 Sch. 1 para. 20(4A) inserted (18.1.2005) by Housing Act 2004 (c. 34), s. 270(3)(c), Sch. 11 para. 24(2)

F5 Words in Sch. 1 para. 20(7) added (18.1.2005) by Housing Act 2004 (c. 34), s. 270(3)(c), Sch. 11 para. 24(3)

F6 Sch. 1 para. 20(8) inserted (18.1.2005) by Housing Act 2004 (c. 34), s. 270(3)(c), Sch. 11 para. 24(4)