The Scandal of Unlicensed HMOs
Landlords, Tenants, Law 21/08/2018
All over the country, there are unlicensed Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) where rogue landlords are squeezing in extra beds and not declaring them. These unlicensed properties are a scandal. If a landlord is prepared to break the law on this matter, what other laws might they be choosing to ignore? Deposit security? Gas Safe inspections?
Overcrowded Kenton Property
Earlier this month, a raid carried out by Harrow Council and the Greenhill Metropolitan Police Service discovered 31 beds crammed into a 3-bedroom house in Kenton. This incident is obviously at the extreme end of the overcrowding scale, but the health and safety of tenants is put at risk by any amount of overcrowding. Safety of tenants is the reason that HMO licences were introduced in the first place.
In a tweet about the Kenton operation that was quoted in the Harrow Times four days after the raid, Harrow Council said:
“This morning we are with our enforcement officers and Harrow Police inspecting this unlicensed HMO and overcrowded property. Just some of the things wrong with this property. There is no fire safety, no smoke detectors, no carbon monoxide detectors, mould, and an array of health and safety issues.”
Properly Licensed Properties
When you choose a property let from Pearl Lettings, you can be certain that everything we do is above board. All of the HMOs that we manage are properly licensed. We keep up to date with relevant legislation and ensure that all our landlords and our tenants know their rights and responsibilities.
If you are looking for a room in an HMO with modern facilities and fair rents, take a look at our rental properties page and get in touch. You can contact us by calling 01603 980770 or emailing hello@pearllettings.co.uk.
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