Article 5 Persons who must make returns
Where a dwelling referred to in column (1) of Group A is occupied by a household consisting of one usual resident, that person must make a return.
But the person referred to in paragraph (1) need not make a return where the person is away from the dwelling on census day and—
is outside the United Kingdom continuously for at least the period of 12 months beginning on census day; or
in any other case, does not return to the dwelling during the period of 6 months beginning on census day (but that period of 6 months must not have been spent continuously outside the United Kingdom).
Where a dwelling referred to in column (1) of Group A is occupied by a household consisting of more than one person—
the householder or joint householders; or
in the absence of any such person capable of making a return, any person authorised to act on behalf of the householder or joint householders,
must make a return with respect to each person specified in column (2) of Group A, but where the obligation falls on more than one person, any one of those persons may make the return on behalf of the other persons on whom the obligation falls.
But a return need not be made under paragraph (3)—
in respect of any person—
whom the person required to make the return under paragraph (3) reasonably believes has elected to make an individual return under paragraph (5)(a); or
who has elected to make an individual return under paragraph (5)(b);
where each member of the household is away from the dwelling on census day and—
is outside the United Kingdom continuously for at least the period of 12 months beginning on census day; or
in any other case, does not return to the dwelling during the period of 6 months beginning on census day (but that period of 6 months must not have been spent continuously outside the United Kingdom).
Any usual resident with respect to whom a return falls to be made in accordance with paragraph (3) and who is capable of making a return may elect to make an individual return by either—
making a request for an individual return; or
giving consent to a person making a return under paragraph (3) to request an individual return on behalf of that usual resident.
Where a person has elected to make an individual return under paragraph (5)(a) or (b) that person must—
make the individual return; or
authorise someone else to make the return on that person’s behalf.
Where a person has elected to make an individual return under paragraph (5)(a) or (b) but for any reason is incapable of making a return, then the return may be made on that person’s behalf by any other person capable of doing so.
Every usual resident specified in column (2) of Group B, C, D, E or F must make an individual return.
Where a person for any reason is incapable of making a return in accordance with paragraph (8) then, on behalf of that person—
in a case specified in column (2) of Group B or C, the manager or other person for the time being in charge of the premises must either—
make the return, or
arrange for the return to be made by a relative or companion of that person;
in a case specified in column (2) of Group D, E or F, the person for the time being in charge of the premises or vessel must make the return.
Every person specified in column (2) of Group G (“a specified person”) must make an individual return but—
a specified person may authorise someone else to make the individual return on that specified person’s behalf; and
where a specified person for any reason is incapable of making a return, then the return may be made on that specified person’s behalf by any other person capable of doing so.
Where a dwelling referred to in column (1) of Group A is occupied only by one or more reckonable visitors, a return in respect of that dwelling must be made by—
the person or persons who would be the householders if that person or those persons were usual residents at the address; or
if there is no such person capable of making a return, anyone else authorised to act on behalf of that person or those persons,
but where the obligation falls on more than one person, any one of those persons may make the return on behalf of the other persons on whom the obligation falls.
In the case of any premises or vessel specified in Group B, C, D, E or F, the person for the time being in charge of the premises or vessel must make a return stating the particulars specified in Schedule 3.