(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—
(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,”.
Commencement Information
I1S. 128 in force at 6.4.2017 by S.I. 2017/281, reg. 4(g)