HMOWTR4070 - Assurance and verification: What credibility tests should you carry out during the visit?

The following checks should be carried out during assurance of theowner, duty representative and transporter:

(This content has been withheld because of exemptions in the Freedom of Information Act 2000)

• which warehouses do they store goods in, or intend to? Are the warehouses close to their main customers? Does the location of the warehouses make commercial sense?
• what short/medium term commercial commitments can the trader demonstrate?
• check planned trading activity for that day; did it change during the day of the announced/unannounced visit? Is it consistent with other days?
• establish, record, and test trader’s administration procedures against legal requirements; and
• establish how instructions regarding haulage are made. What evidence does the trader get from the haulage company showing that goods reached their destination? Does this indicate a destination address not included on the movement documentation?