RAIDS were conducted at two separate addresses in Coventry last week as part of ongoing action to tackle suspected unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).
Arrests were made when Environmental Health Officers from Coventry City Council, supported by West Midlands Police, executed warrants at Outermarch Road and Cheveral Avenue in Coventry.
At one address, an occupant attempted to escape through a rear ground-floor window, but was apprehended by police at the scene.
At the second address, while no HMO was identified, officers discovered evidence of a cannabis grow and an occupant was arrested.
The landlord responsible for the Outermarch Road property was identified as a repeat offender – Coventry City Council having identified them operating an unlicensed HMO on two previous occasions – with outstanding unpaid financial penalties.
The council will now consider using additional powers against the landlord, including seeking a banning order and making an entry to the national Rogue Landlord Database.
The operation was part of ongoing work by the Council’s HMO Enforcement Team – alongside police partners – to disrupt criminality linked to poor-quality, unregulated accommodation.
Coun Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “This is a clear signal that we will act – decisively and together – to protect our communities.
“Unlicensed and poorly managed properties put people at risk, and we will continue to work with our partners to keep residents safe and hold those responsible to account.”
