A council crackdown has uncovered four unlicensed HMOs and one being used as a cannabis factory in Kettering and Corby.

North Northamptonshire Council joined forces with Northamptonshire Police in a week-long inspection of 76 HMOs, four of which are still being investigated.

Councillor Mark Rowley (pictured), executive member for housing, communities and levelling up, says similar crackdowns are planned in the future following the successful week.

He adds: 'It is important that authorised officers of the council identify and inspect unregulated HMOs and tackle those landlords that choose to ignore the law, so that these properties can be properly managed moving forward and to ensure the safety of tenants, which is paramount.'�

Police attending

Neighbourhood inspector for Corby and Kettering, Paul Cash, of Northamptonshire Police, explains that its partnership with the council is important to support a good quality of life for communities.

'Joining these visits in Kettering and Corby enabled us to support the HMO team, building partnerships while identifying any criminal activity and supporting and safeguarding any vulnerable people,'� says Cash.

'At one address in Kettering we also located a cannabis grow which is now being investigated, and I'm sure its removal is a relief to all who will have been affected by it.'�

The council is urging any landlord who has yet to register their HMO to apply for a licence as well as asking residents who suspect an unlicensed HMO in their area to email its offices, which can be done anonymously.

Read more about cannabis factories.