Section 169 — Housing Act 1985: Power to obtain information, etc.

Power to obtain information, etc. 169 1 Where it appears to the Secretary of State necessary or expedient for the purpose of determining whether his powers under section 164 or 166 (general power to intervene) or section 167 or 168 (power to give directions as to covenants and conditions) are exercisable, or for or in connection with the exercise of those powers, he may by notice in writing to a landlord require it—

a at such time and at such place as may be specified in the notice, to produce any document, or b within such period as may be so specified or such longer period as the Secretary of State may allow, to furnish a copy of any document or supply any information.

2 Any officer of the landlord designated in the notice for that purpose or having custody or control of the document or in a position to give that information shall, without instructions from the landlord, take all reasonable steps to ensure that the notice is complied with.

3 In this section references to a landlord include—

a a landlord by whom a conveyance or grant was executed in pursuance of this Part. . . . b . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .