Department for Communities and Local Government

The complainant has requested information from the Department for Communities and Local Government (“the DCLG”) concerning his local authority’s interpretation of the Housing Acts of 1988 and 1996. The Commissioner’s decision is that the complainant’s request is not a valid request for recorded information and therefore the provisions of section 1 do not apply to it. The Commissioner has also decided that the DCLG has failed to provide the complainant with appropriate advice and assistance in order for him to make a valid request. Consequently the DCLG has breached section 16 of the FOIA. However, in view of the information which the DCLG has provided the complainant by way of assisting his understanding of annual tenancy visits, the Commissioner does not require the DCLG to take any further steps in this matter.