Express & Star

Order stops Wolverhampton danger home being let

An empty home which has blighted the lives of residents in a Wolverhampton street has been made the subject of an order which stops it being used until necessary improvements are made.

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Environmental Health officers from Wolverhampton City Council issued an Emergency Prohibition Order on a property in Crowther Street, Park Village - which was was found to be uninhabitable after it fell into disrepair.

The order was issued following complaints over anti-social behaviour in the semi-detached house which had later been investigated by West Midlands Police.

The order prevents the home it from being used until necessary improvements are made .

Councillor Peter Bilson, cabinet member for regeneration, said the city council will not hesitate to get tough against any rogue landlords operating in Wolverhampton.

"In this case, officers found what can only be described as a building site, with most of the furniture removed, filthy fixtures and fittings, no electricity supply or lighting and building materials littered throughout," he said.

"Making an Emergency Prohibition Order is very much a last resort and one we will only take when landlords refuse to carry out the work required and there's an immediate risk to the health and wellbeing of the property's occupants."

"I'd like to make it clear that the state of this house is not a reflection of the other properties in Crowther Street or indeed Park Village."

"We are determined to improve standards in the private rented sector where required, either informally or by using enforcement.

"The vast majority of our private landlords do a very good job, and the action we took last week demonstrates that we won't hesitate to get tough with those landlords who are failing to maintain their properties to an acceptable standard."

Neighbourhood Police Inspector Steve Perry added: "This property had blighted the lives of the local community for too long with reports of anti-social behaviour taking place.

"We have listened to that and taken positive enforcement action with our partners to close it down.

"I'd like to thank the community for bringing these problems to our attention and with the public's support we can work together to make the community a safer and better place to live. It also sends out a message to private landlords that action will be taken if they fail to maintain their properties to a safe and acceptable standard."

To report an empty property or one which is in poor state of disrepair call Wolverhampton City Council on 01902 551155.

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