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17/12/25 3:30 pm
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A Reform UK council chair has resigned after he was described as a 'rogue landlord' who had rented out two dangerous HMOs.
Edward Harris, the Warwickshire County Council chairman, was named by neighbouring Tamworth Borough Council which shut down his two properties. It had issued two emergency prohibition notices after finding tenants living in unsafe conditions at the detached houses in Stonydelph.
John Slinger, MP for Rugby, along with three other local MPs, has written to the leader of Warwickshire County Council demanding an urgent investigation.
According to the MP, Harris listed ‘landlord’ as his sole occupation but only declared one rental property. Slinger says: “We are also concerned that councillor Harris may have benefited from taxpayer money by receiving housing benefit while renting out these dangerous, unlicensed properties to vulnerable tenants.”
He adds: “Many of my constituents raise concerns about HMOs and the standards landlords maintain.”
Harris has stepped down from the chair as well as relinquishing the right to represent his party while the matter is investigated. He continues to serve as an independent councillor.
Prior to his resignation, Harris told the BBC: “I've already accepted responsibility for the two properties, and made public my contrition for the situation and willingness to correct everything under my responsibilities as owner of those two properties.”
Tamworth Council says both six-bedroom properties had multiple serious safety failures and were being operated illegally as unlicensed HMOs, housing tenants in dangerous conditions including no central heating, no hot water, no working fire alarms, inadequate cooking facilities and unsafe access to outdoor areas.
Council officers were first alerted by a concerned resident and inspected both properties, which failed to meet even the most basic of living standards and legal requirements.
Harris, along with management agent Touchstone, which had been managing one property since September, repeatedly failed to take action on warnings and advice to address the problems, according to the council.
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