An inspection of a property carried out by police and the council revealed “at least 20 people” in “appalling living conditions”.

On August 2 police and enforcement officers from Harrow Council visited a property in Rayners Lane suspected of being an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO).

At the three-bedroom property officers discovered evidence “at least 20 people” were living there but found just ten occupants during the visit.

Harrow Times:

In a tweet about the property, the council said: “This morning we are with our enforcement officers and Harrow Police inspecting this unlicensed HMO and overcrowded property.

“Just some of the things wrong with this property. There is no fire safety, no smoke detectors, no carbon monoxide detectors, mould, and an array of health and safety issues.”

Harrow Times:

Greenhill police tweeted: “We’ve assisted Harrow Council with executing a warrant in the Rayners Lane area. 

“Appalling living conditions and overcrowding in a property.”
Pictures from inside the property show creeping mould, a peeling ceiling and a sheet used as a makeshift curtain. 

Harrow Council said it was looking to “take action” against the landlord.

Harrow Times:

On the same morning, a similar inspection was carried out at another “very overcrowded” three-bed property in Kenton where officers discovered 31 bed spaces and just one bathroom. 

Homemade double bunk beds lashed together from timber with each unit housing up to eight people were also found. 

Harrow Council said there were no smoke detectors in the property and signs of collapse on one of the stairs.

The housing enforcement officers at Rayners Lane featured on Channel 5's Bad Tenants Rogue Landlords on August 2.

One tenant, believed to be subletting the Rayners Lane property, was reportedly arrested by police for immigration offences.