# Can I get in trouble for lying to the council about my flat's condition?

- Jurisdiction: United Kingdom
- Practice area: Tenancy Law
- Published: 2026-11-02
- Last updated: 2026-11-02
- Canonical: https://lawasked.com/uk/tenancy-law/can-i-get-trouble-lying-council-about-my

## Question

I live in a small flat in Manchester, England, and I have been dealing with a terrible damp problem for about six months now. My landlord is being completely unhelpful and refuses to pay for any repairs or professional mould removal. Last Tuesday, a housing officer from the local council visited my home to carry out a routine inspection under their housing standards programme. Because I was worried that they might find the flat too unsuitable for habitation and try to force a relocation that I cannot afford, I panicked. I told the officer that the damp was actually quite minor and only appeared once or twice a month, even though I have photos showing it is a constant, serious issue that covers nearly 20% of my bedroom wall. I also told them I had already cleaned it with special products, which is a lie. I have already tried emailing my landlord three times to request a formal inspection, but he ignores me. Now that I have realised I was dishonest during that council visit, I am terrified. Can the council actually prosecute me or fine me for giving them incorrect details about the state of my property during an inspection?

## Summary

Yes, you could potentially face legal trouble. Under the Housing Act 2004, providing false or misleading information to a local housing authority during their official duties is a criminal offence.

## Analysis

Under the Housing Act 2004, you may have committed an offence by being dishonest with the housing officer during their inspection. The law states that "a person commits an offence if... he supplies any information to a local housing authority in connection with any of their functions... the information is false or misleading, and he knows that it is false or misleading" [1]. 

In your case, you told the officer that the damp was minor and that you had already cleaned it, even though you knew this was not true. Because you provided this information to a local housing authority while they were carrying out their functions (the housing standards programme), and you did so knowing it was untrue, you meet the criteria for an offence [1]. The law defines "false or misleading" as being "false or misleading in any material respect" [1]. This means the lie must be significant enough to matter to the officer's investigation. Since the damp actually covers 20% of your bedroom wall, your statement about it being "minor" is likely a material falsehood.

If you are convicted of this offence, you could be liable to a fine [1]. 

It is also important to note that the council has broad powers to use information they gather. They may use information obtained during their functions for various purposes, including investigating whether any offences have been committed [2]. 

Whether the council actually decides to prosecute you is uncertain. The law provides the power to prosecute, but it is up to the local authority and the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if it is in the public interest to do so. They may choose to simply correct the record rather than pursue criminal charges.

## Statutory citations

- Housing Act 2004, Section 238 - False or misleading information [in force] (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/34/section/238)
  > A person commits an offence if— a he supplies any information to a local housing authority in connection with any of their functions... b the information is false or misleading, and c he knows that it is false or misleading
- Housing Act 2004, Section 237 - Use of information obtained for certain other statutory purposes [in force] (https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/34/section/237)
  > A local housing authority may use any information... for the purpose of investigating whether any offence has been committed

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