CH254030 - How to do a compliance check: Visits: Unannounced visits: Authorisation

All unannounced visits must be agreed in advance by an authorised officer. This will usually be done by the authorised officer signing the inspection notice. The relevant inspection notice template is at CHApp1.11 - Inspection Notice: Authorised officer agreement.

A template (Internal Template IT01) is available on SEES Forms and Letters for you to make your report to an authorised officer.

An authorised officer’s agreement can be given verbally in some circumstances, in which case a record will be made by the authorised officer.

In other business areas, if you think an unannounced visit is necessary you should discuss the reasons with your line manager or team leader before approaching the designated authorised officer. You must provide the information set out in CH260500.

See CH260000+ for further guidance on the role of the authorised officer.

In some circumstances it may also be appropriate to get the inspection approved by the tribunal, for example if you think you will have problems with cooperation on the visit, see CH25540. The relevant inspection notice template is at CHApp1.12 - Announced Inspection Notice: Tribunal approved. Applications to the tribunal for approval of an inspection notice must be made by or agreed by an authorised officer.

If the tribunal refuses to approve an unannounced inspection, at least 7 days’ notice must be given to the occupier of the premises, unless new facts come to light that convince an authorised officer to decide that an unannounced visit is necessary. In such circumstances it is probable that another application to the tribunal for approval should be made. However, an unannounced visit may be made without a further application to the tribunal if this would cause an unacceptable delay to the check.