What to do if…
you receive a notice that your property may be searched or inspected as part of an investigation

What to do now

1. Treat the notice as unverified until you check it independently.
   Do not use phone numbers, payment links, QR codes, or email links from the notice. Use an official website, main switchboard, or known public contact route to check:

   • whether the notice is genuine,
   • whether the reference number exists,
   • who is responsible for the visit,
   • what property or area is involved,
   • whether the visit is a request for consent, an arranged inspection, or the use of a legal power.

2. Ask for the exact authority being relied on.
   Ask, preferably in writing: “What legal power, warrant, order, licence condition, inspection power, or consent request are you relying on?” Different police, regulatory, immigration, housing, environmental, trading standards, prison, probation, and other official powers can have different rules.

3. Contact a solicitor before the visit if you can.
   Tell them: “I have received a notice that my property may be searched or inspected as part of an investigation. I need urgent advice before I agree to entry or answer questions.”
   If it looks criminal or police-led, ask for a criminal defence solicitor. If it is a regulator, landlord-related official body, council, immigration, environmental, business, or professional investigation, ask for someone with that area of experience.

4. Tell other people at the property one clear thing.
   Say: “Do not consent to entry or hand over access details on the spot. Ask what authority they are using and call me or the solicitor.” This is especially important if you live with family, flatmates, tenants, staff, or a partner.

5. If someone attends, keep the first conversation calm and at the threshold where possible.
   Ask for their name, role, organisation, and ID. Write it down. Then ask: “Are you asking for my consent, or are you relying on a legal power to enter?” If they are only asking for consent, you can say: “I am not consenting to entry now. Please put the request in writing so I can take legal advice.”

6. If they say they have a warrant or other legal power, do not obstruct.
   Ask to see and read the warrant, order, written authority, licence condition, or other paperwork. Check the address, date, named person or organisation, what areas may be entered, what they are looking for, and whether anything may be seized or copied. Ask for the Notice of Powers and Rights or equivalent paperwork if one is available.

7. Switch to record-keeping mode during any search or inspection.
   Note the time they arrive and leave, who is in charge, which rooms or areas are searched, what questions are asked, and what is taken, copied, photographed, or damaged. Ask for a search record, receipt, inventory, or written note of anything seized or copied.

8. Protect urgent safety needs without interfering.
   Tell the person in charge if there are children, vulnerable adults, pets, medical equipment, essential medication, mobility needs, religious items, confidential work material, or anything dangerous on the property. Ask when you may call your solicitor if you have not already done so.

9. Be careful with phones, computers, keys, passwords, and accounts.
   Do not volunteer passcodes, unlock devices, or hand over account access just to be helpful. If you are told you must provide something, stay calm, ask what legal power is being used, and tell a solicitor as soon as you can.

10. If the notice is linked to bail, licence, probation, prison, or supervision conditions, find that paperwork now.
    Check the exact wording of your conditions and contact your solicitor or supervising contact to clarify what you must allow, what requires notice, and what should be put in writing.