As part of the recent week of action by Harrow Council, routine inspections aimed at suspected Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) uncovered a property with ten adults and three children living in it.
Within a three-bedroom flat spanning two stories based in Rayners Lane, initial suspicions were sparked by the sight of multiple mattresses strewn across the floor. Upon closer scrutiny, the severity of the situation became apparent as officers discovered the flat housing a staggering thirteen people, all sharing a single bathroom and a cramped kitchen.
Exposed wires and ill-suited sockets for appliances were identified, presenting a potential hazard that, in the worst-case scenario, could lead to a fire. The council’s enforcement team are taking it up with the landlord.
Cllr Anjana Patel, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Community Safety at Harrow Council said: “Overcrowding is unsafe, unsanitary and exploits people who deserve a decent place to call their home. It’s the job our enforcement officers to ensure instances like this don’t happen and that tenants are safe. This is why it is so important that Houses of Multiple Occupancy are licenced and comply with the law.
“While the majority of our landlords and agents look after their tenants and keep properties safe, there are a few who simply don’t care. We are not afraid to take action and will take cases like this further and where necessary take them to court.”
