A landlord in Wembley, north west London, faces prosecution after 11 people were found living in a three-bedroom house that he owns in the local area.

The overcrowded property was raided during the early hours of the morning last month, as part of Brent Council’s increased efforts to ensure landlords with unlicensed properties are held to account.

Enforcement teams entering the property found 11 people packed into a three-bedroom mid-terrace house, which was reported to be in a general state of disrepair. The landlord looks set to face prosecution.

Brent Council’s increased enforcement activity in recent months has seen up to five prosecutions per week since the beginning of the year.

In January, it was announced that the council would be one of 48 local authorities to receive a slice of £5m funding from the Department for Communities and Local Government to tackle rogue landlords. 
Earlier this year, a raid on rogue landlords in Wembley found 23 people, including 10 children, living in one semi-detached house.

They also raided a shed in the back of a second property where they discovered evidence that it may have been illegally rented out as private accommodation.

Cllr Margaret McLennan, cabinet member for housing, said: “These types of raids demonstrate the importance of our landlord licensing scheme. It ensures that properties are not overcrowded, are let out to an acceptable standard and are properly managed.

“It also reduces anti-social behaviour and illegally dumped rubbish which can have a significant impact on local neighbourhoods and property prices. Everyone in the borough benefits from licensing.”