A London council has stepped in to take control of 18 rental homes after the landlord repeatedly failed to meet safety and licensing requirements.
Officials say this represents one of the earliest examples of such enforcement in the UK.
However, this isn’t the first time a local authority has acted in this way. Earlier this year, Newcastle City Council assumed responsibility for seven poorly managed properties, while two years ago Newham Council warned landlords it would do the same if they failed to comply with selective licensing rules.
Obtained an Interim Management Order
Merton Council confirmed that it used special powers last August to place an Interim Management Order on the rented homes.
This order allows the council to assume temporary control of the properties after tenants reported serious concerns about poor upkeep and inadequate management.
Despite repeated warnings issued through the selective licensing scheme, the landlord failed to act on the council’s instructions.
Follow-up inspections highlighted continuing problems, which led the council to step in and take firm action.
Control for five years
Merton Council has taken decisive steps in a long-running case involving poorly managed rental homes, after years of issues being raised by tenants. With no quick resolution in sight, the authority has now secured a Final Management Order (FMO), which hands it control of 18 rented properties for up to five years.
This latest move follows months of warnings, inspections, and temporary measures. The council says it had little choice but to escalate the matter, as the landlord repeatedly failed to meet the standards expected under housing and licensing laws.
The Final Management Order means the council can oversee the day-to-day running of the properties, ensuring that repairs are carried out and safety concerns are properly addressed. At the same time, the landlord will remain responsible for mortgage payments, despite losing control of the rental income.
According to the council, this redirection of rent will allow it to cover the costs of bringing the homes up to standard. The money collected will be used to tackle overdue repairs, ensure compliance with safety rules, and provide tenants with the living conditions they are entitled to.
Councillor Andrew Judge, cabinet member for housing and sustainable development, explained the significance of the decision. He said the order sends a clear signal to landlords who ignore their legal responsibilities, warning that inaction or neglect will not be tolerated.
In his statement, Councillor Judge underlined the council’s commitment to tackling rogue operators in the private rental market. He stressed that every tenant deserves to live in safe, decent housing, and that the authority is determined to enforce this principle.
The case highlights the challenges councils face when dealing with landlords who continually disregard enforcement notices. In this situation, multiple warnings had been issued under Merton’s selective licensing scheme, but the landlord consistently ignored them, leaving tenants frustrated and living in poor conditions.
Previous inspections of the homes had revealed numerous issues, including unaddressed repairs and a lack of proper property management. Tenants themselves had raised concerns, which added to the council’s case for intervention.
By securing the FMO, Merton Council has taken the strongest step available under the law. This measure goes beyond temporary oversight and allows the authority to manage the homes directly for a substantial period, up to five years.
While describing the action as a last resort, Councillor Judge made it clear that it was necessary to protect tenants from ongoing neglect. He said that although most landlords in the borough act responsibly, a small number fail to meet their obligations, and it is these few who damage trust in the wider rental market.
He added that the council recognises the important role landlords play in providing homes, but stressed that this role comes with clear responsibilities. Those responsibilities, he said, are especially important where vulnerable tenants are concerned, as they are often the most affected by substandard housing.
Merton’s intervention is not the first time a council in England has used its powers in this way, but such action remains rare. The decision shows how authorities are becoming more willing to use stronger enforcement tools to raise housing standards and tackle landlords who repeatedly ignore the rules.
The council’s message is also aimed at reassuring tenants across the borough. Officials want renters to know that if they are living in unsafe or poorly maintained housing, they have the right to raise complaints and expect their concerns to be taken seriously.
For landlords, the case acts as a warning that failing to comply with licensing conditions and ignoring notices can result in serious consequences, including the loss of control over their properties.
In the long term, Merton Council hopes the intervention will improve standards in the 18 properties and act as a deterrent for others. The broader goal is to ensure that all tenants in the borough have access to homes that are safe, secure, and properly maintained.
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