Legal News
Luton Council’s Rogue Landlord Team raids unlicensed HMO (30 January 2017)
Date: 30/01/2017
Luton Council’s Rogue Landlord Team has raided an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), where six tenants were found living in a three-bedroom property which breached a number of management regulations.
Assisted by the Police and Fire Service, council officers entered the unlicensed HMO at 123 Carlton Crescent in Luton.
Luton’s Rogue Landlord Project is a joint initiative between the council, Private Sector Housing, Fire Service, Police, Citizens Advice Luton and Luton Law Centre – supported by government funding of nearly £100,000.
Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Tom Shaw, said:
“This underlines the council’s on going commitment to ensuring private tenants in our town have safe, high-quality accommodation.
“In situations like this, unscrupulous landlords are not only taking financial advantage of vulnerable tenants, but placing their lives in danger.
“Every landlord housing different families that share the same facilities under one roof must register for an HMO licence.
“We will not hesitate to prosecute landlords who show a disregard for the law and their responsibilities towards occupants – we would encourage anyone who suspects a property may be an unlicensed HMO to contact us immediately”.
Team manager responsible for the operation, Dave Stevenson, added:
“The good news for unlicensed HMO tenants taken advantage of in situations like these is that they may be able to claim up to 12 months’ rent back from the landlord – something the council hopes will make landlords think twice and take seriously their legal obligations.”
The purpose of HMO licensing is to ensure that the properties meet certain standards in relation to disrepair and fire safety – and that there are enough lavatories and washing facilities for the number of tenants housed in an HMO.
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