In a highly unusual move, Waltham Forest Council served an Interim Management Order on a landlord last week after he refused to make it safe for the 15 tenants living there. Four people were discovered living in beds in a shed in the garden and a further 12 people were living inside the property, which had been divided into five separate bedsits (contrary to planning regulations).
Rogue Landlord
The landlord was raking in more than £4k per month in rent, but unfortunately he wasn’t spending any of the cash on essential repairs to the house and he hadn’t bothered paying any Council Tax for four years. Not surprisingly, council housing officials were not prepared to ignore such a blatant disregard for the system.
Essential Repairs to be Carried Out
Tenants living at the property will be allowed to continue staying there. Instead of paying rent to the landlord, however, they will pay rent directly to Waltham Forest Council. In the meantime, council housing officials will employ a contractor make essential building repairs and deduct the cost of repairs from any rent received.
“It’s obviously a last resort for us to have to take control of a property away from its owner, but we were given no choice due to this landlord’s poor attitude and lack of concern for the safety of his tenants,” said Councillor Limbajee.
Council officials have now changed the locks on the property. They say they hope the landlord will come forward to settle his debts and sort out the problems with his property.
