A privately rented flat in West London was described as a death trap by housing enforcement officers after an early morning visit found tenants living in squalid conditions with no windows or ventilation, dodgy electrics, and mice infestation.
Council officers were tipped off about the unlicensed property in Rayners Lane, Harrow by local residents and the police. An inspection found the property overcrowded with up to eight people believed to be sharing one small bathroom and kitchen. Mice droppings were found all over the flat, along with broken, exposed and overloaded sockets. A further inspection inside the property found the electrics were last checked in 2020 and the washing machine was connected to a broken socket.
The tenants were paying £250 to £500 a week to live in the property. The council will take further enforcement action.
Councillor Anjana Patel, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety said: “Thankfully our officers discovered this dangerous property before a tragedy occurred. Allowing people to live in properties like this is reckless and we are coming after rogue landlords who put profit before people.
“We’ve pledged to take tougher enforcement action to keep our residents safe and will bring the law onto those who are renting properties in squalid conditions.”