An early morning raid in Harrow found seven unlicensed House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) properties with one suspected of housing TWELVE people.
Harrow Council have confirmed that the landlords of each HMO will to be contacted for ‘disrepair and overcrowded properties’.
The properties were inspected with some being found in disrepair or with no safety measures in place, therefore putting tenants at risk, said Harrow Council.
Officers were left concerned with one flat found in breach of its license where the means of escape in the event of a fire was blocked.
Two properties were confirmed to be overcrowded, one suspected of housing 12 people into just a 3 bedroom property sharing just one bathroom with no basic fire, smoke or carbon monoxide detector as well as poor waste management.
Harrow Council’s enforcement team will now carry out further investigations and serve notice to landlords.
Cllr Anjana Patel, cabinet member for Environment and Community Safety, who followed officers said: “Everyone has a right to live in a safe home. While most of our landlords are complying and keeping tenants safe, unfortunately there are the few operating unlawfully – and that’s who we are going after.
“We simply cannot allow the minority of bad landlords let down those who are doing the right thing – it’s completely unfair. While notices will be served here, we’ll be looking at taking tougher action against rogue landlords as part of our wider enforcement strategy with details to come soon.
“I’d like to thank officers for the work they carry out in putting residents first and keeping people safe.”
