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Brent Council stages early morning raids on unlicensed rental properties (22 April 2016)

Date: 22/04/2016
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, Brent Council stages early morning raids on unlicensed rental properties

Brent Council in north London has staged two early morning raids on rental properties in the borough, which were found to be overcrowded and in a state of disrepair.

ITV London News filmed the raids to highlight the problem of overcrowding in London – and Brent Council’s innovative use of landlord licensing, to ensure quicker prosecutions against landlords who do not let out their properties to an acceptable standard.

The raids on landlords in north Wembley were part of the council’s “ramped up” enforcement activity, to ensure that all landlords with unlicensed properties are held to account.

The council is targeting landlords who let out substandard, squalid and overcrowded accommodation, which the council says make tenants’ lives a misery and have a significant impact on local neighbourhoods.

Brent Council says the raids show the importance of landlord licensing – and why most landlords in Brent need a licence and must adhere the conditions of the licence, such as not letting out substandard or overcrowded accommodation.

In the first raid – where access was restricted – it appeared that there were six double-bed mattresses and one single-bed mattress on the living room floor of the property, which the council said was “a clear sign of overcrowding”.

In the second raid, 11 people were found to be living in a three-bedroom mid-terrace house – the tenants of Pakistani, Romanian and Bulgarian origin consisted of four couples and three single people.

There were cramped conditions throughout the house – including a small kitchen with an oven that did not work properly, as well as grimy and dirty cupboards and a leaking sink.

The council says there was also evidence of mould – and one tenant had reported that the landlord only allowed tenants to put the heating on once or twice a month.

The backyard at the property was also filled with household rubbish and was in a state of disrepair.

The council’s licensing and enforcement team gathered evidence at both raids and the landlords are now likely to face prosecution, a significant fine and a criminal record.

In the last couple of months, Brent Council’s increased enforcement activity has seen between two to five prosecutions per week – and many more raids and prosecutions are expected in the coming months.

In March, a couple letting out an unlicensed property in Wembley were ordered to pay £20,000.

Brent Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Margaret McLennan, said:

“These types of raids are a rude awakening for rogue landlords in Brent – and demonstrate the importance of our landlord licensing scheme.

“Licensing ensures that properties are not overcrowded, are let out to an acceptable standard – and are properly managed.

“It also reduces anti-social behaviour and illegally dumped rubbish, which can have a significant impact on local neighbourhoods and property prices.

“Everyone in the borough benefits from licensing.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising on landlord and tenant disputes, disrepair of rented property, Local Authority housing and council’s obligation to re-house.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across the UK and our housing team are also able to advise on:

• Conveyancing services
• Debt management for homeowners
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Landlords’ obligations
• Lease extensions
• Mortgage repossession
• Notice to quit
• Nuisance neighbours
• Right to Buy
• Right to Rent checks
• Tenancy agreements
• Unlawful eviction.

Duncan Lewis can also advise landlords on their legal duties under the Housing Act.

For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


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