22nd
Aug 2013
Tower Hamlets council have called in fire authorities to evict people found to be living in commercial units illegally rented out by rogue landlords. Prohibition notices were served in to get rid of those who were sleeping at Cable Street Studios in the Limehouse area.
Acting on a tip off the Council found out that over twenty people were sleeping in the property that was licensed for commercial use only, so they called in the London Fire Brigade to help them in their quest.
- It has come to light that Asian immigrants, mainly from Bangladeshi, were being charged as much as £1,000 per month by rogue landlords to live in the premises.
A London Fire Brigade spokesman said: “We are now working with the landlord responsible for the studios to ensure that the notices are being complied with and our fire safety officers will be revisiting the premises to carry out further safety inspections.”
In scenes reminiscent of a prisoner of war camp tenants were overcrowded and had to resort to using gas canisters for cooking as there were no kitchen facilities. Central Heating was unavailable and the tenants also had to share toilets and for this they had to pay £1,000 per month.
The Cable Street premises that was used as an illegal hostel was a “death trap” waiting to happen. Some of the units are presently used by small businesses and artists and the premises also have a bar, nightclub and a mosque.
Tower Hamlets Council and Fire authorities are determined that none of the units will ever be used again as living accommodation.
London Assembly Member for City and East John Biggs called for a clampdown on illegal letting.
“It is despicable that this exploitation of people can carry on in Tower Hamlets by rogue landlords,” he said.
- The Company that owns the premises, Sudbury Properties Ltd, explained in their statement that lettings are handled by a third party. “We will continue to investigate these breaches and take appropriate action,”
“Sudbury in no way should be implicated as complicit with any wrongdoings alleged to have taken place. “Agents will be attending the property to investigate whether any of the units are being used for residential purposes and appropriate action to rectify any breaches will be taken.”
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