Enforcement action after "serious safety failures" at rental properties
ENFORCEMENT action has been taken after "serious safety failures" at two rental properties.
ENFORCEMENT action has been taken after "serious safety failures" at two rental properties.
Tamworth Borough Council said emergency prohibition notices had been issued at the detached houses in Stonydelph owned by Polesworth-based Edward Harris.
He had been operating both properties illegally as unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMO), with multiple people living in dangerous conditions with no central heating, no hot water, no working fire alarms, inadequate cooking facilities and unsafe access to outdoor areas.
Harris had ignored repeated warnings from the council to address the problems at the six-bedroom properties..
Council officers were first alerted by a concerned resident and subsequently inspected both properties.
Harris, along with agent Touchstone – which had been managing one property since September – repeatedly failed to take action on warnings and advice from the council to address the problems.
Cllr Ben Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning, said: "Safety is always a priority, and in this case, the state of the properties left no choice but to act.
"We saw local people living in dangerous conditions and a landlord who simply refused to act despite repeated warnings.
"The safety of Tamworth residents must always come first. No one should be paying costly rent and have to live without heating or hot water, or in a property with inadequate fire safety measures. These basic standards are not negotiable.
"We worked extensively with the landlord and the management agency to give them every opportunity to put things right, but failed to address the issues. This left us with no alternative but to issue prohibition orders and close both properties."
People living in the properties have been offered assistance from the council to help them secure alternative accommodation.
Cllr Clarke added: "Most landlords in Tamworth provide good quality homes and take their responsibilities seriously.
"But where we find properties that fall below acceptable standards, we will not hesitate to act.
"This case should send a clear message that we take poor property standards very seriously and will use the full range of enforcement powers available to us to protect tenants."
The council is now considering further enforcement action in relation to these properties.
Anyone with concerns about private rented properties can contact Tamworth Borough Council on email private-sectorhousing@tamworth.gov.uk or phone 01827 709 388.
