A council has issued two emergency prohibition notices after finding private tenants living in unsafe conditions at rental properties.

Tamworth council claims it was left with no other option and took enforcement action after discovering multiple serious safety failures at two detached houses.

These were owned by landlord Edward Harris.

The council claims Harris was operating both properties illegally as unlicensed HMOs.

It says dangerous conditions including no central heating, no hot water, no working fire alarms, inadequate cooking facilities and unsafe access to outdoor areas.

And the council accuses the landlord of ignoring repeated warnings to address the problems.

A statement says: “Harris, along with management agent Touchstone who had been managing one property since September, repeatedly failed to take action on warnings and advice from the council to address the problems.”

A council spokesperson states: “We worked extensively with the landlord and the management agency to give them every opportunity to put things right, but failed to address the issues. 

“This left us with no alternative but to issue prohibition orders and close both properties.”

All residents affected by the closure have been offered support, advice and assistance from the council to help them secure alternative accommodation.