A CRACKDOWN on illegal Houses in Multiple Occupation in Coventry has uncovered multiple unlicensed HMOs and potential breaches of housing and safety standards.
Coventry City Council’s Safer Housing and Communities team and Police and Immigration officers uncovered the breaches during a series of targeted enforcement visits the across city.
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.
They included a property in Uxbridge Road where a warrant was executed and evidence gathered suggesting it as an unlicensed Section 257 HMO.
Multiple suspected unlicensed HMOs were uncovered in accommodation above commercial premises on Foleshill Road, ranging from four to six occupants across several households.
At one location, food safety and waste management concerns were raised, and referred to the council’s specialist enforcement teams for further investigation.
In several cases, officers obtained witness statements and are progressing enforcement action.
The visits formed part of the council’s ongoing work to tackle rogue landlords, improve housing standards and ensure that all residents are living in safe, legally compliant accommodation.
Coun John McNicholas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, said: “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.”
Coun Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “Landlords are reminded of their legal responsibilities, including the requirement to licence HMOs where applicable and comply with all relevant safety standards.
“Failure to do so may result in significant penalties.”
