ROGUE sub-letters illegally renting out properties to numerous tenants have been caught in a council-led crackdown.

Redbridge Council’s property licensing team found health and safety breaches and overcrowded spaces when they conducted multiple raids on properties across the borough.

Sub letters rented out properties as unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

An HMO is a property occupied by three-or more unrelated people who are not related and share facilities.

Councillor Farah Hussain, cabinet member for housing, joined the team as they raided a Gants Hill property with a magistrate-backed warrant on Tuesday, February 6.

The property had clear fire and safety breaches and electrical safety hazards.

Cllr Hussain says: “In Redbridge we want to encourage good landlords who provide good quality homes for their tenants.

“However, we intend on driving criminal landlords from the borough and this operation I went on and our success with a £97,445 Confiscation Order under the Proceeds of Crime Act against a criminal landlord last week shows our determination to do that.”

The raid came following reports that a large number of people were living in the place which sparked fears it could be an HMO.

In the last week, six properties across Barkingside, Clayhall, Hainault and Newbury where alleged illegal subletting and overcrowding are taking place have been raided.

Each property lacked the necessary fire safety measures and kitchen facilities for the number of tenants. Some rooms used for sleeping were small and overcrowded. Others had electrical issues due to the overuse of electrical installations.

The person subletting the properties has been identified and will be required to attend an interview under caution at the council’s offices, with further enforcement action possible.