Major crackdown on unlicensed landlords

Enforcement officers patrolled the streets of Brent on Friday 23 May, as part of a borough-wide operation to identify and take action against landlords renting out properties without a licence.

The law states that every landlord who rents out a property in Brent must have a licence, except for properties located in Wembley Park.

Multi-agency teams, including officers from private housing services, anti-social behaviour and environmental services, went door-to-door across targeted areas. They provided waste management advice, listened to residents’ concerns about anti-social behaviour, checked whether properties were free from serious health or safety hazards 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 put on the rogue landlord database after failing to get licensed as landlords. Officers found 15 people crammed into a seven-bedroom property when they turned up at the home in Ilmington Road, Kenton, following a tip-off from a neighbour.

If you are an unlicensed landlord, you can avoid fines of up to £30,000 by getting licensed today.

Residents, tenants, landlords, managing or letting agents, organisations and businesses are welcome to have their say on our plans for additional HMO licensing to drive up standards for renters. Our consultation is open until 10 June.