A dawn raid on unlicensed HMOs in north London last week were the latest sign of a crackdown on rogue operators by the local authority.

Brent council’s licensing enforcement team raided a private rental property in Wembley following a tip-off that the home was unlicensed.

Officers discovered that the ground-floor, three-bedroom flat was being illegally sublet and that a room being used as a bedroom immediately off the kitchen was creating a fire escape hazard.

Brent says it carries out unannounced visits on suspected unlicensed HMOs every week. 

A local authority spokeswoman adds:”It’s the law that houses in multiple occupation require a licence in Brent. Landlords and agents who fail to licence their properties could face hefty fines. Our aim is to protect residents by enforcing against substandard and dangerous living conditions.”