Wandsworth takes action against rogue landlords

A property that was being illegally rented in Wandsworth Common has been successfully taken to tribunal.

The private rented home was found to have eight unrelated tenants living there but it was not registered as a House in Multiple Occupancy (HMO).

Under current Wandsworth policy, any home with more than five people from different households is required to have a licence.

From 1 July, we will be introducing new licencing schemes for smaller HMOs across the borough, and for the wider private rented sector in the Furzedown, South Balham, Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway areas. To learn more, visit our 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.

Aydin Dikerdem, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:

“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.

“With the introduction of new landlord licencing schemes, we will drive up standards and provide additional support to protect renters' rights.”