Merton Council has reportedly become the first local authority in the UK to seize a landlord’s properties under a new initiative aimed at safeguarding tenants. The council asserts that the unprecedented action is necessary to address the landlord’s repeated violations of housing regulations, specifically the failure to properly license the properties.
The properties in question, located in the Figges Marsh, Graveney, Longthornton, and Pollards Hill wards, have been at the centre of resident complaints regarding substandard living conditions. Following inspections by council officers, multiple enforcement notices were issued to the landlord, who allegedly failed to comply over several months.
Merton Council has the authority under its selective licensing scheme to tackle poor housing conditions and anti-social behaviour. This scheme grants the council the power to intervene when properties fail to meet required standards, ensuring that tenants live in safe and decent homes.
A Commitment to Improving Housing Standards
Councillor Andrew Judge, Merton’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, emphasized the council’s dedication to improving housing conditions within the private rented sector. “Everyone deserves to live in a safe and decent home,” Judge stated. “While many landlords operate within the guidelines, there are those who do not, often exploiting some of the most vulnerable members of our community. This can lead to serious health and safety issues, affecting not only the tenants but the wider community and environment as well.”
Judge further noted that this action serves as a stern warning to other landlords: “If you do not license your property or act in a manner that prevents it from being licensed, the council can and will use its powers to take over the running of it.”
Council Takes Control of Properties
By securing an interim management order, Merton Council has taken control of the properties, with plans to use the rental income to improve living conditions for the tenants. Although the council now manages the properties, the landlord remains responsible for mortgage payments.
Phil Turtle, a legal expert in selective licensing laws, explained the legal framework behind the council’s actions. “The process of a council taking over and managing a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), or a property that falls under selective licensing, stems from the Housing Act 2004, Section 101. The council can impose an interim management order for up to 12 months or a final management order for up to five years,” Turtle told Property118.
Merton Council’s decisive move highlights its commitment to enforcing housing regulations and protecting residents, setting a potential precedent for other councils across the country.