Harrow Council’s enforcement officers discovered over 17 people living in a three-bedroom house with only one bathroom, and it is believed that there could have been up to 40 people living in the property prior to the raid.
The owner of the property lives abroad, and the house is managed by a letting agency that has previously been found to let out overcrowded properties.
Councillor Graham Henson of Harrow Council, who is cabinet member for environment, crime and community safety said of the discovery: “It’s not safe, it’s not sanitary and it exploits people who deserve somewhere decent to live, just like everyone else.”
Harrow Council is hoping to prosecute the agent for operating without an HMO licence.
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