An HMO landlord faces prosecution for failing to maintain or licence shared housing that was so dangerous a council had to immediately close the building and rehouse the tenants.

Newham Council officers served an emergency prohibition order on the dilapidated property that housed 11 people – including several children.

The tenants lived in two flats above takeaway shops in Manor Park, Newham, East London.

The flats were linked by a doorway knocked in to a supporting wall.

Other hazards included:

• A flimsy board over a 20 foot drop from the second floor. In order to access the next floor, tenants had to use another staircase accessed by walking through a maze of rooms.
• Open live wiring next to the kitchen taps and a plug socket under the sink
• Shared kitchen area blocked the only fire escape.
• Smoke alarm not working and covered with a plastic bag.
• Common areas of the house were very badly maintained

Andrew Billany, Newham Council’s divisional director housing and public protection told web site 24-dash.com: “This house was not fit for humans – it was more like a rabbit warren with holes that passed for doors and stairs that led to nowhere.

“We will not accept sub-standard or dangerous properties as Newham residents renting privately deserve nothing less than a decent place in which to live. Where we find bad properties we will look to prosecute the landlords behind them.”