The Essex town of Basildon has announced a major crackdown on illegal HMOs and revealed a new ‘HMO Taskforce’ to reinforce its commitment to tackling the illegal use of this kind of tenancy within its borders, which stretch to neighbouring Billericay.
Its initiative will ‘restore order and protect local communities’ and the taskforce will respond to every report from residents while every property will be visited and every violation dealt with, the council says, although it has not revealed how many such properties within the borough.
But the problem has caused enough political undertow recently for councillors to make some unusually stark commentary following the initiative’s launch.
“This council is on your side,” says Councillor Kerry Smith (main image), Cabinet Member for Law, Order and Enforcement.
Our message is clear: if you're operating an illegal HMO, expect a knock on the door - day or night."
“We will not stand by while hard-nosed landlords exploit our housing stock and undermine the quality of life for our residents. Our message is clear: if you're operating an illegal HMO, expect a knock on the door - day or night."
Councillor Adele Brown, Cabinet Member for Housing and Infrastructure, who champions the new taskforce, adds: “We've heard your concerns loud and clear.
“Basildon has had enough. People in Basildon are fed up with HMOs causing parking problems, noise, extra pressure on local services and the loss of proper family homes.
“This new Taskforce is about putting that right, putting our communities first, and taking back control."
The council is also asking residents to be ‘vigilant and proactive’ and urges them to report illegal HMOs via the council website.
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