Police and immigration officials join council raids on HMOs

A series of raids involving police, immigration officers and council staff have been staged on HMOs in Coventry. 

The council claims these visits uncovered multiple unlicensed HMOs and what it calls “potential” breaches of housing and safety standards.

Premises inspected included nail bars in Spon Street and Corporation Street, where officers checked for potential on-site accommodation.

While no residential use was identified at one location, further follow-up action has been triggered in relation to suspected HMOs linked to worker addresses.

The council’s HMO Enforcement Team also identified several properties suspected of operating as unlicensed HMOs, including:

• A property where a warrant was executed and evidence gathered suggesting it as an unlicensed Section 257 HMO;

• Accommodation above commercial premises, where multiple suspected unlicensed HMOs were uncovered, ranging from four to six occupants across several households;

• Further properties where evidence has been secured and investigations are progressing.

At one location, council officers identified significant food hygiene and waste management concerns. The premises were subject to an immediate intervention and have since been closed due to serious hygiene failings. Further enforcement action is now under consideration.

A council spokesperson says: “This proactive enforcement work demonstrates our commitment to protecting tenants and holding landlords to account.

“We will continue to take firm action where properties are found to be operating illegally or where conditions put residents at risk. Working with our partners allows us to identify issues early and respond effectively.”

This article is taken from Landlord Today