Brent Council has vowed to crackdown on those looking to exploit the housing market.

It is part of a campaign to improve living standards in the private renting sector, which includes tackling unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) in the borough.

The council released a video to the public, which points out some of the tell-tale signs of such properties.

These include overgrown gardens, overflowing bins, homes in a poor state of repair, rubbish dumped outside, and lots of people coming and going from the property.

Cllr Eleanor Southwood, who is responsible for housing and welfare reform at Brent Council, said HMOs must be licensed, to benefit everyone in the borough.

She said: “Brent Council has a zero tolerance policy towards rogue landlords, sub-letters and agents.

“We want to work with landlords to drive up standards in the private rented sector through the licensing scheme.

“But we will track down any landlord who believes that they can get away with breaking the law and exploiting tenants to turn a quick buck.”

From June 1, landlords with properties in Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queen’s Park electoral wards will require a license.

This is in addition to the current legislation, which requires all HMOs to be licensed.

And new government regulations, which will come into effect on October 1, will mean that any property privately rented out to five or more people who are not all related will need an HMO licence.

The council has urged anyone who spots the signs of a potentially unlicensed HMO to report it immediately.