"I'm now receiving homelessness assistance from Brent Council as my property is no longer fit to occupy."
Angela
Our client approached us having submitted a complaint to Brent Council’s Private Sector Enforcement Team regarding the state of her accommodation. Her property was freezing and had a serious damp and mould problem. She explained that the conditions in the property that was exacerbating her and her six-year-old daughter’s asthma. After the inspection by Brent Council, our client received no correspondence from her private landlord or the Environmental Health Officer from Brent Council.
Once we were instructed, Brent Council confirmed that were multiple serious hazards in the property, including being excessively cold and suffering from damp and mould. The Enforcement Team confirmed there was a leak threatening ceiling collapse. However, Brent Council refused to take enforcement action against the private landlord in respect of the defects in the property. Instead, Brent Council only sent a ‘warning letter’. We challenged the failure to take immediate and robust enforcement action. In response, Brent Council proceeded to serve an improvement notice on the private landlord and agreed to review their Enforcement Policy in respect of private landlords. Our client is now receiving homelessness assistance from Brent Council on the basis that her tenancy is no longer reasonable to occupy.
