Reform council chairman illegally let unsafe homes

A Reform UK council chairman has been found to be illegally running two unsafe rental properties, according to a local authority.

The unlicensed houses in multiple occupation in Tamworth, Staffordshire, are owned by Warwickshire county councillor Edward Harris, who Tamworth Borough Council described as a "rogue landlord".

The council said it had issued closure notices on the homes after discovering "multiple serious safety failures", including a lack of central heating and hot water, no working fire alarms, inadequate cooking facilities and unsafe access to outdoor areas.

Harris, who earlier said he took "full accountability" over the homes, has resigned his position as chairman.

Harris also said he would resign the Reform whip and sit as an independent councillor while the matter was being looked into.

Warwickshire County Council's leader, George Finch, said: "It would be inappropriate to comment on the details while the proper process is ongoing, and I would urge others not to speculate."

Prior to his resignation, Harris said: "I've already accepted responsibility for the two properties, and made public my contrition for the situation and willingness to correct everything under my responsibilities as owner of those two properties."

Tamworth Borough Council said it had issued two emergency prohibition notices after finding tenants living in unsafe conditions.

The six-bedroom detached buildings, which housed multiple tenants, failed to meet even the most basic of living standards and legal requirements, the council added.

In a statement, the authority said Harris had repeatedly failed to take action to address the problems it had found.

"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.

All residents affected by the closure had been offered support and advice to help them secure alternative accommodation, the council added.

"This case should send a clear message that we take poor property standards very seriously and will use the full range of enforcement powers available to us to protect tenants," Clarke added.

The council was now considering further enforcement action in relation to the properties owned by Harris.

Warwickshire's Labour MPs have written to Finch calling for an urgent investigation.

In a joint letter, Rachel Taylor, John Slinger, and Matt Western demanded to know whether Harris fully declared his rental property interests, as required by the councillor code of conduct, and whether he had received housing benefit payments while renting out unlicensed properties.

Taylor said: "These allegations are deeply disturbing. Tenants deserve to live in safe, warm, and secure homes - not in properties that put their health and safety at risk. If a senior council figure has failed to meet even the most basic legal and moral responsibilities, that is a serious breach of public trust.

"Warwickshire residents deserve honesty, accountability, and the highest standards from their elected officials, not slum landlords who exploit vulnerable people."

The MPs called on Warwickshire County Council to commission a full investigation and provide assurances that all councillors who rent properties were compliant with housing and licensing regulations.

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