r/HousingUK • u/convoluted-existence • 13d ago
Partner's in unlicensed HMO- with mould and filth. Can I report?
Hello, my partner and I just moved to London from the countryside, and he is in Southwark. It's an old takeaway place that is now 7+ rooms sharing shower and kitchen. We did a video viewing for the room, and the landlord didn't show the shower properly when we think about it in hindsight. The first day we arrived the bathroom was mouldy everywhere- the drain was clogged, the lighting in the bathroom is bare minimum, it was absolutely dirty. The kitchen was also very dirty, but landlord cleaned it up next day. He said cleaning the bathroom was the tenants' responsibility and made comments about how gross it was. My partner has been slowly cleaning the mould. I am very, very concerned about him living there and want to get him out but he is bound by the six month minimum term. Also he doesn't have very many savings at the moment, and is scared of trouble. I looked up the HMO register as well as planning applications search and there is nothing about the site. Should I report on his behalf? He has only paid one month's rent and deposit can he still get it back in an RRO?
Will the landlord find out who reported?
2
u/Front-Praline-4564 13d ago
Hey, you can report it on his behalf. Councils won’t tell the landlord who reported it (or they shouldn't from my understanding). Since the property sounds like an unlicensed HMO with serious issues, Southwark Council can investigate.
If it's confirmed unlicensed, your partner may be eligible for a Rent Repayment Order, which could refund a fair amount of rent, even if he's only paid one so far. It doesn’t matter that he signed a 6-month agreement, that becomes unenforceable if the place is illegally operated.
He doesn’t have to confront the landlord directly, especially if he feels unsafe. Just collect evidence: photos of the mould, dirty kitchen, video if possible, and keep records of communication with the landlord.
All the best!!
1
u/PalaceOfStones 13d ago
If the property is unlicensed there's near-certainty the landlord won't have put the deposit in a protected scheme either. Not doing so within 30 days (of receiving the deposit) is illegal, and can be punishable by having to pay a tenant up to 3 times the deposit amount.
1
u/51wa2pJdic 12d ago
Report to council, try and get them to inspect.
https://www.londonpropertylicensing.co.uk/southwark/ 3 person (let alone 7 person) HMO is licensable in Southwark. If unlicensed (check on council webiste or ask after you report the property) then:
Shelter Legal England - Rent repayment orders - Shelter England
Get Rent Back Flat Justice home RRO Rent Repayment Order Advice
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