Campaigning group the London Renters Union is targeting landlords in London by urging councils to come down much harder on failing properties.

It has launched an action plan in Brent, detailing how the local authority should hold landlords accountable for more than 10,000 private rented homes in the borough which have a serious health hazard, and has started a petition.

The union wants the council to recruit more staff to conduct inspections, issue improvement notices and to fine landlords that refuse to do the work.

It says Brent should ensure that environmental health cases can never be closed before sending a report on the actions taken as well as provide interpreters for the PRS enforcement team, especially in Arabic, Somali, Portuguese, Romanian, Urdu and Hindi.#

Protest

Members recently held a protest outside Sathy Property Services which it claims is renting out two homes that are in a serious state of disrepair, according to local newspaper The Times Series.

In April, Brent Council agreed to bring in a selective licensing scheme in three wards - Dollis Hill, Harlesden & Kensal Green and Willesden Green - from 1st August following a borough-wide consultation.

Plans for an alternative expanded scheme covering 21 wards got the thumbs down from 75% of landlords and 46% of residents, with some describing it as a ‘cash collecting’ scheme.

A council spokesman says “We investigate all reports of damp and mould made to us and will chase rogue landlords all the way to the courts. Over the past five and a half years, Brent has inspected 8,753 properties, resulting in 5,995 seeing an improvement in condition as a consequence.”

Sathy Property Services were approached for comment.