Two properties suspected of being used for illegal accommodation were raided by the council and Home Office Immigration officers yesterday morning.(March 5)

The raids were organised by the council’s rogue landlord team after complaints from members of the public about people living in unauthorised outbuildings.

The first property, in Cranford, was visited by officers from the rogue landlord team last month, who were unable to get access to investigate the property. They then issued a power of entry notice, but were still unable to gain access, so a warrant was obtained from local magistrates, which was executed by council and immigration officers.

Officers discovered three tenants living in an illegal outbuilding and two more in a self contained rear extension.

The second property in Hounslow West was visited by the team in June last year, who were unable to gain access. A power of entry notice was used to arrange a second visit, when the outbuilding was presented as unoccupied storage.

A complaint was received from a member of the public that the outbuilding was in fact being occupied, so a warrant was obtained, and council and immigration officers who found the outbuilding was being used as two self contained units, occupied by three tenants.

Cllr Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration at the council, said:
“If we suspect a property is being used illegally for accommodation, we will take whatever action necessary to investigate.

“Simply ignoring our reasonable requests to inspect properties, or trying to conceal what is going on, will not work – we will use all legal means we can to crack down on rogue landlords.”
The council will be pursuing action under the 1990 Town and Country Planning Act for both properties.