Section 173 — Housing and Planning Act 2016: Warrant authorising use of force to enter and survey land

Warrant authorising use of force to enter and survey land 173 1 A justice of the peace may issue a warrant authorising a person to use force in the exercise of the power conferred by section 172(1) if satisfied—

a that another person has prevented or is likely to prevent the exercise of that power, and b that it is reasonable to use force in the exercise of that power.

2 The force that may be authorised by a warrant is limited to that which is reasonably necessary.

3 A warrant authorising the person to use force must specify the number of occasions on which the authority can rely on the warrant when entering and surveying or valuing land.

4 The number specified must be the number which the justice of the peace considers appropriate to achieve the purpose for which the entry and survey or valuation are required.

5 Any evidence in proceedings for a warrant under this section must be given on oath.