Record number of property inspections undertaken, in crackdown against unscrupulous landlords
Published: 30 July 2021
This week Redbridge Council’s Housing Enforcement Team carried out its highest ever number of inspections of privately rented homes, as part of a drive to raise standards in the private rental sector across the borough.
During Redbridge Action Week (21 – 28 July), 171 addresses in Ilford were inspected to make sure privately rented properties were safe and residents were happy with their accommodation. It also gave residents an opportunity to have their say about the state of their properties and their relationship with landlords.
This was the highest ever number of inspections of privately rented accommodation in the borough undertaken within a single week.
Of the 171 properties, the team identified 41 properties that were operating without the necessary property licence and enforcement action is now being taken against the landlord and managing agents.
A further 22 properties were referred to Planning and Building Control as illegal conversations and there was one serious health and safety risk. As part of their visits, the officers provided properties with smoke detectors on the spot. Issues such as damp, mould and other disrepair where landlords failed to carry out remedial action with a reasonable timeframe were also investigated.
Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Crime, Cllr Khayer Chowdhury said:
‘We’re determined to drive up standards in the private rented sector across the borough. We see too many privately rented homes with unacceptable living conditions and unscrupulous landlords not meeting their basic responsibilities. If you rent your home, and something is clearly not right or your landlord is operating without a licence, please report it to us.”
This year Redbridge Council had already issued 21 penalty notices totalling £34,500 worth of fines to unscrupulous landlords for breaking the law.
The property licensing register is available for viewing here. If you are a private renter and your home does not appear on the register please report this to the Housing Standards Team via the report it for which is available here
Further information on licensing and if your property is licensable is available here.
