Commentary on Sections Part 7 Section 237: Use of information obtained for certain other statutory purposes
558.Section 237 allows an LHA to use information that it has obtained for housing benefit or council tax purposes in order to carry out its functions under Parts 1 to 4 of this Act. So, for example, if several claims for housing benefit are made from the same address, the LHA will be able to use information obtained for the purposes of administering the claims to investigate whether the property in question ought to have a licence under Part 2 of the Act. This information may also help the LHA to decide the actual number of occupants of a dwelling, in relation to hazards under Part 1, particularly those which could be exacerbated by over-occupation, such as hazards from fire.