A rogue landlord who ignored repeated warnings to make homes safe has lost control of 18 rental properties in one of the toughest clampdowns yet on substandard housing.
Merton Council has taken the extraordinary step of seizing management of the homes after tenants were left living in squalid and unsafe conditions for months.
The move comes after a year-long battle in which the landlord repeatedly failed to licence the properties under the borough’s Selective Licensing Scheme – a legal requirement designed to protect tenants and raise standards in the private rented sector.
Complaints from tenants about broken facilities, poor maintenance and dangerous conditions triggered a council investigation in 2024.
MULTIPLE BREACHES
Officers issued formal notices, but these were ignored. When inspectors visited the homes, they found multiple breaches that left families exposed to risk.
In August 2024, the council imposed a temporary Interim Management Order, effectively stripping the landlord of day-to-day control. But with no sign of improvement or compliance, the council has now escalated to a Final Management Order, taking over the properties for up to five years.
During this period, rent payments will be collected directly by the council and used to bring the homes up to standard.
The landlord, however, must still cover mortgage costs, effectively losing income from the portfolio while remaining financially liable.
Council bosses say the landmark decision shows they will not hesitate to act against rogue operators who flout the law.
ROGUE LANDLORD CLAMPDOWN
Councillor Andrew Judge, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainable Development, says: “This sends a clear message to rogue landlords: we’re committed to raising the standard of living for everyone, and we will clamp down on landlords who are not meeting their legal obligations to their tenants.
“Everyone deserves to live in decent housing, and we know there are many good landlords in Merton, but a handful are flouting their responsibilities to provide safe and suitable homes for tenants, particularly those in vulnerable situations.”
The case marks one of the first times in the country that a council has used such sweeping enforcement powers to wrest control of a landlord’s portfolio. Housing campaigners hailed the move as a warning shot to landlords cutting corners on safety and repairs.
Merton Council said the five-year takeover would ensure tenants finally have homes that meet basic standards of safety and decency, while sending a clear signal that landlords who ignore the rules will pay a heavy price.
