Residents In Romford Angry At Illegal HMO With Men Coming In And Out At All Hours.

Residents living on Dorset Avenue, Romford have reported 52 complaints to Havering Council after the set up of an illegal HMO on their road. Romford Conservative Councillors Nisha Patel, Robert Benham and Bailey Nash-Gardner have been working closely with residents to tackle the long list of problems they have faced.

Residents have reported up to eight men entering the three bedroom property at all hours. A wooden structure being set up in the back garden without a planning application. Men sitting outside the property barefoot and picking at their feet, a woman banging on the front door half dressed in the early hours of the morning and loud music being played until late at night.

Rubbish has also piled up in the rear garden that does not get removed. Rubbish bags thrown into the front of the property that remains for days and scatters all over the road.

The property outlets were believed to have been advertised on different letting sites for £1,300 per month.

The three Romford councillors told the Havering Daily: “Havering Council has turned a blind eye to this illegal HMO for too long. Their lack of enforcement is letting a rogue landlord profit while local residents pay the price.

“We all want decent, safe housing in the borough. That means stronger action from Havering Council to clamp down on illegal HMOs and protect both tenants and communities.”

Councillor Nisha Patel presented a motion yesterday, Wednesday 3 September at Full Council.

In response a spokesperson for Havering Council told the Havering Daily:

“The Council is aware of the issues at this property. Following an investigation – we found that the house was being illegally sublet as an HMO. However, contrary to suggestions in the post, the occupants were not asylum seekers. The owner was also unaware that the property was being sublet but has now closed down the illegal HMO and assures us the property is now empty. We will be carrying out a further inspection to ensure this is the case.  If the property is still occupied, we will consider what action we can take.

“We are separately continuing our investigations of the planning and building control issues concerning this property.”

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