Searching a home under English law

As far as I know, the polis can't search without a warrant unless they have reason to believe there are drugs on the premises. I don't know if you could work that in somehow. Otherwise anything they found would be inadmissable as evidence, but if that's not an issue for the MC it's not so important.

This may be wrong, though, so don't take my word for it.

Go here: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_rights/legal_system/police_powers.htm

and scroll down to Powers of Entry. A search warrant can be signed by a magistrate or a Justice of the Peace. Not sure if judges do sign them.

They need to have some reason to apply to a magistrate for a warrant. Obviously an experienced officer would know which magistrate is more likely to sign a warrant without any awkward questions, but there has to be a paper trail (our police are highly bureaucratic).
The police might consider calling in the environmental health team from the local council to inspect the hotel with them. These guys have extensive powers of entry to commercial premises and would have the power to close the hotel immediately. What sort of hotel is this? The mere threat of a visit from EH might well be enough to ensure co-operation.

Do they even need a search warrant in England? They can still arrest you for "suspicion" there as far as I know so my guess (and it is just a guess) is that there, it's more of a procedural thing as opposed to a rule of law.

waylander said:

They need to have some reason to apply to a magistrate for a warrant. ...... These guys have extensive powers of entry to commercial premises and would have the power to close the hotel immediately. What sort of hotel is this? The mere threat of a visit from EH might well be enough to ensure co-operation.

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What exactly is a magistrate and are they a dime a dozen or few and powerful?

Magistrates are the first level of the justice system. These are 'respectable and well-thought of' lay persons sitting as a bench of 3 (aided by a clerk of the court), deciding on minor cases and acting as a filter for the next level of county court.

GeorgeK said:

Do they even need a search warrant in England? They can still arrest you for "suspicion" there as far as I know so my guess (and it is just a guess) is that there, it's more of a procedural thing as opposed to a rule of law.

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Yes, they still need a warrant to enter private premises unless invited in.