Enforcement officers carried out a borough-wide operation in Brent on Friday 23 May targeting landlords who are illegally renting out properties without a licence.
Under the law, every landlord in Brent must have a licence to rent out a property – except for those in Wembley Park.
Multi-agency teams, including officers from private housing services, anti-social behaviour, and environmental services, went door-to-door in targeted areas. They checked for serious health or safety hazards, listened to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour, gave advice on waste management, and took enforcement action against unlicensed landlords.
Councillor Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing and Residents Services, said:
“Every landlord in Brent is legally required to have a licence to rent out their property. This law exists to protect people from landlords who put them at risk by ignoring safety standards, cramming too many people into one home, or failing to carry out essential repairs.
“We know that poor housing conditions can be extremely stressful and harmful to people’s health and wellbeing. No one should have to live in damp, overcrowded, or dangerous conditions while their landlord looks the other way.
“That’s why we’re using targeted intelligence to focus our patrols on streets where we suspect landlords are renting without a licence. This is about protecting our residents and making sure landlords take their responsibilities seriously.
“Responsible landlords play a vital role in providing quality homes and helping to ease the housing crisis – we won’t let rogue landlords ruin the reputation of those doing the right thing.
“If you’re a landlord in Brent and you’re breaking the law, we will find you and you will face prosecution and hefty fines.”
Earlier this month, two brothers were fined £20,000 and added to the rogue landlord database after failing to obtain a licence. When officers visited the property on Ilmington Road, Kenton, they found 15 people crammed into a seven-bedroom home, following a tip-off from a neighbour.
Landlords in Brent could face fines of up to £30,000 if they fail to get licensed, but can avoid penalties by applying now.
Brent Council is also consulting on plans for additional HMO licensing to improve housing standards. The consultation is open until 10 June and welcomes input from residents, tenants, landlords, agents, businesses, and organisations.
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