Local Labour Assembly Member John Biggs said questions need to be answered regarding commercial properties being let by rogue landlords for residential use following the exposure of an illegal hostel on Cable Street.
The Cable Street Studios in Limehouse were labelled a “potential death trap” by a fire safety expert following a BBC London investigation. The commercial units were being rented out for up to £10 a night despite no heating, kitchen facilities, toilets or running water inside the rooms.
Last week, Mayor of London Boris Johnson published his voluntary London Rental Standard which outlines 12 minimum criteria regarding fees and protection of deposits.
Local Labour London Assembly Member John Biggs said:
“It is despicable that this exploitation of people can carry on in Tower Hamlets by rogue landlords. Urgent enforcement action needs to be taken to ensure that landlords aren’t renting out commercial units for residential use and that suitable accommodation can be found for those tenants elsewhere.
“Unfortunately, the health and safety issues highlighted at Cable Street Studios are not unique. Rents have been allowed to increase to incredibly high levels in London. Boris’s answer is more voluntary regulation.
“Rogue landlords will not sign up to the Mayor’s inadequate voluntary London Rental Standard and will continue to abuse their tenants. People are forced into substandard housing because of a severe lack of decent accommodation. It is unacceptable in the 21st Century that Londoners are put in a position to rent somewhere without even the most basic facilities.”