A London council has served a formal notice to a rogue landlord unlawfully operating a former police station building as a hostel.

After several weeks of investigations and evidence gathering, Enfield council issued a planning enforcement notice, ordering for the occupation of the property to cease.

The investigation revealed that the building was not only illegally advertised for room rentals but also housed tenants placed by homelessness teams from other London boroughs.

Enfield council has since contacted these authorities, instructing them to refrain from placing any more tenants in the building.

A council spokesperson says: “This is just the beginning of a lengthy process. 

“The council is committed to taking all necessary steps to tackle rogue landlords who flout regulations and provide substandard accommodation. Such practices are unacceptable, and we will always take justified and defensible enforcement action.”

The notice requires the owners to cease using the building as a hostel and remove all associated furniture and facilities within three months. The compliance period begins on January 31, following the right of appeal.

The council is also working with London Fire Brigade is addressing fire safety deficiencies identified in the building.