A dawn police raid on an overcrowded Coventry HMO has prompted an investigation into potential slavery and immigration issues.

The council’s property licensing team, along with environmental health officers and a police exploitation team, carried out the inspection following a tip-off about the property in Longford.

They discovered it was unlicensed and in breach of various management regulations and are now taking enforcement action. While there had been some concerns about modern slavery issues, these were not identified, although the police detained one man suspected of being an illegal immigrant.

The council says it will continue to work closely with the police to uncover problems of this kind and councillor David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities, adds that it’s a good example of joint working that has led to action against landlords.

Overcrowding

“We are committed to improving standards of private sector housing accommodation across the city,” says Welsh. “Sharing information, in this example by highlighting potential concerns around overcrowding and checking on issues like modern slavery, highlights the importance of joint working between the council and the police.

“When accommodation is not being responsibly managed and regulations are breached, we will use the range of legal powers to take action to help ensure that tenants are protected.”

Chief inspector Dave Amos adds that it regularly works on intelligence and takes action against people and premises suspected of being involved in modern slavery.

“Modern slavery involves the exploitation of some of society’s most vulnerable people and we are committed to safeguarding them wherever and whenever we receive information.”

Coventry recently launched a crackdown on HMOs.

‍