Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Housing Solicitors

Council raid uncovers illegal bedsits in Brent (29 August 2017)

Date: 29/08/2017
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, Council raid uncovers illegal bedsits in Brent

Brent Council enforcement officers carrying out a dawn raid on converted bedsits in the northwest London borough found tenants living in damp and unsafe conditions.

Officers found 11 rooms at a property in Preston Road, Brent, some of which had no window – many of the rooms contained mould, damp and were in disrepair as a result of cooking and toiletry facilities that had been installed in an inadequate space.

The unlicensed property also had no working fire safety system, blocked fire escape routes and health hazards created by poor ventilation inside the rooms.

Tenancy agreements revealed that some of the residents were paying £600 a month for the accommodation, with the landlord potentially making £6,600 a month from the eleven rooms.

The council said that the landlord arrived at the property while the inspection was on going and told enforcement officers that he was not aware that he needed a licence from the council for a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

The raid was carried out as part of Brent Council's continued crackdown on rogue landlords and illegal sub-letters in the borough.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform, Councillor Harbi Farah, said:

“This is unacceptable – landlords cannot be allowed to exploit tenants and here in Brent, we're determined to crackdown on rogue operators.

“We've made great progress with our licensing scheme – and are now pressing the government to let us roll it out even further across the borough as soon as possible.”


The council said that, since January 2016, rogue landlords in Brent have been forced to pay than £600,000 in fines.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on:

  • Debt management for homeowners
  • Disrepair of rented property
  • Housing Benefit
  • Housing possession
  • Landlords’ obligations
  • Landlord and tenant disputes
  • Lease extensions
  • Local Authority housing
  • Mortgage repossession
  • Notice to quit
  • Nuisance neighbours
  • Right to Buy
  • Right to Rent checks
  • Tenancy agreements
  • Unlawful eviction.

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


    For all Housing related matter contact us now.Contact Us

    Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
    Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.