Structure of the Act Part 2 – Regulation of Social Housing Information Section 107 - Collection
213.Section 107 gives the regulator, for purposes connected with its functions, the power to require documents or information from any person it believes may possess them, concerning the financial or other affairs of registered providers or the activities or proposed activities of a registered provider or a person who has applied to become a registered provider.
214.The regulator is likely to use this power to follow up concerns raised by tenants, local authorities or others by asking for specific information from the provider in addition to standard performance information obtained under section 204. The regulator may ask for the same types of information from profit-making registered providers as from non-profit providers.
215.Subsection (2) provides that a requirement may not be imposed on a person other than the body to which the document or information relates, unless the body has been required to provide the document or information but failed to do so; or the regulator thinks the body is unable to provide it.
216.Subsection (3) provides that the regulator may specify the form and manner in which it is to be provided and when and where it is to be provided.
217.Subsection (4) permits the regulator to copy or record the documents or information required by it under this section.
218.Subsection (5) specifies that it is an offence to fail to comply with a request without a reasonable excuse. Subsection (3) of section 108 provides that a person guilty of this offence is liable on summary conviction to a fine up to level 5 (currently £5000) on the standard scale.
219.Subsection (6) further specifies that it will also be an offence intentionally to alter, suppress or destroy information or documents to which a request for information relates. Subsection (4)of section 108 provides that a person guilty of this offence is liable either on summary conviction to a fine up to the statutory maximum (currently £5000), or on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term of no more than 2 years, or a fine, or both.
220.Subsection (7) provides that if a person who has been required to provide information by the regulator under this power fails to comply, then the regulator may apply to the High Court for an order to remedy that person’s failure to provide the information required. Subsection (6) of section 108 provides that such an order may include a provision for costs.