Mark,
Can’t give you details of any policy I’m afraid, but a couple of points from experience:
Visiting Officers – I did this role for a short while a few years back and on visiting one particular CTB claimant, I contacted EH due to problems with the accommodation – it was a severe case (holes, big ones, in the floor, up to 2ft of rubbish/dirt on most of the remaining floor etc.!!) and as owner-occupier it was more to see if improvement grants etc. would apply & due to concerns over clmt’s very ill partner, but I see no reason why VO’s could not be asked to report any concerns if visiting private tenants.
My rider to this would be that it will require an amount of tact – I’d be concerned about doing this without clmt’s permission as they could be affected by any action taken against their landlord (and if paying clmt, does L/L know they are claiming HB – would L/L be told how EH became involved).
.