A Reform UK councillor who resigned last week as chairman of Warwickshire County Council after being linked to “illegal” HMOs has now been accused of threatening to sell the properties for use as asylum accommodation.
Edward Harris, a Warwickshire county councillor, owns two houses in Tamworth, Staffordshire, which Tamworth Borough Council has described as failing to meet basic living standards. Harris has reportedly told neighbours he no longer feels welcome in the area and that he may sell the properties to an investor who has previously approached him.
Tamworth Borough Council labelled Harris a “rogue landlord” after uncovering what it said were multiple serious safety failures at the properties, including the absence of central heating and hot water, no working fire alarms, inadequate cooking facilities and unsafe access to outdoor areas.
Harris said an investor had made an offer to buy the properties and lease them to a government contractor for use as asylum accommodation. He said he had so far rejected the proposal, stating that he did not support the use of residential homes to house asylum seekers.
Tamworth Borough Council issued emergency prohibition notices on the two six-bedroom properties, saying they failed to meet basic living standards and legal requirements. The council said Harris had repeatedly failed to address the issues identified.
“We saw local people living in dangerous conditions and a landlord who simply refused to act despite repeated warnings,” said councillor Ben Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning.
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