City’s HMO inspections uncover unlicensed properties

Landlords operating HMOs in one city are being warned that unlicensed properties and safety breaches are now firmly in the sights of council enforcement teams.

Coventry City Council’s Safer Housing and Communities team carried out a series of targeted visits across the city, alongside police and immigration officers.

They uncovered multiple suspected unlicensed houses in multiple occupation.

The team checked housing conditions, possible on-site accommodation and suspected breaches of safety standards.

Reminder for HMO landlords

Councillor John McNicholas, the cabinet member for community safety, 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.”

Councillor Naeem Akhtar, the cabinet member for housing, 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.”

Unlicensed HMOs found

The premises inspected included nail bars, where officers looked for potential residential use above or within commercial buildings.

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

The council’s HMO Enforcement Team uncovered several suspected unlicensed HMOs, with between four and six occupants across several households.

It is now warning that other potentially unlicensed properties are now under investigation after officers secured evidence during the visits.