Housing Solicitors

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis has attended a dawn raid with Brent councillor, Margaret McLennan to help identify and take enforcement action against rogue landlords.

The raid on 20 January was part Brent Council’s increased efforts to drive poorly performing landlords out of Brent, including those who exploit tenants with substandard properties.

Brent Council’s established landlord licensing enforcement team raided two properties in the Wembley area with the Minister and Cllr McLennan – one property was severely overcrowded, with 23 people including ten children living in a two storey, semi-detached house.

At the second property, there was evidence that a shed might have been previously rented out as private accommodation.

Brent Council has a licensing scheme to ensure landlords rent out their properties to acceptable standards.

The Housing Minister requested to attend one of the council’s dawn raids because the scheme is considered a best practice example of how to tackle rogue landlords.

Cllr Margaret McLennan – Lead Member for Housing and Development –
said:

“We take a zero tolerance approach to rogue landlords – and we are increasing our efforts to identify and enforce against rogue landlords and letting agents in Brent.

“We will continue to drive up standards in the private sector and drive out the minority of bad landlords with our licensing scheme that ensures landlords maintain their rented properties to an acceptable standard and deal with any antisocial behaviour associated with the properties.

“Most properties in Brent should be licensed – and failure to do so can result in an unlimited fine.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising on homelessness 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
• 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.