Unsuitable accommodation crackdown in Wandsworth
Wandsworth has taken steps to crack down on unsuitable accommodation in the borough. These include properties being being unlawfully rented out, or with inappropriate living conditions. One case reportedly had a bathroom and kitchen in the same room.
One unsuitable accommodation is a property being illegally rented out in Wandsworth Common. The private rented home was successfully taken to a tribunal after it was fund to have eight unrelated tenants living there despite not being registered as a House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO). Under the current Wandsworth policy, homes with over five people from different households are required to have a license.
From 1st July, the borough will introduce new licensing schemes for smaller HMOs across Wandsworth, and for the wider private rented sector in the Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec, and Tooting Broadway areas. To learn more, visit the website.
The case was brought to the council’s attention following a report from a former tenant. Following mediation, the managing agent for the home was made to pay a £5,000 settlement.
Another landlord who was running an HMO was served an Improvement Notice and corrected the faults found in the property. The landlord also received a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) and costs totalling more than £17,500 for renting an unlicensed HMO. In another case, a landlord was found to have converted two areas in a home into self-contained flats, however each one was found to contain a combined kitchen and bathroom. The landlord was served a Prohibition Order and they agreed to no longer rent out their home.
“We are always on the side of our residents and will take robust action against any landlords who fail to obtain a licence, who deliberately fail to comply with licensing conditions, or whose properties present serious housing hazards, Aydin Dikerdem, Cabinet Member for Housing, said. “With the introduction of new landlord licencing schemes, we will drive up standards and provide additional support to protect renters’ rights.”
For more updates on Wandsworth, visit EyeOnLondon Wandsworth.
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