A LANDLORD is facing court action for renting out allegedly unsafe properties to desperate tenants.

Southend Council officials, armed with a warrant, yesterday raided a house in Devereux Road, Southend, belonging to landlord Robert Crowe.

The raid came after the council said Mr Crowe refused allow council inspectors into the property, which is divided into four one-bedroom flats.

Police accompanying officials on the raid threatened to break down the door before council officers were allowed in.

Afterwards, council enforcement notices were been issued alleging the property was hazardous.

The council claims Mr Crowe, has allowed rubbish to fill the front garden outside the window of a basement flat. He has been ordered to clear it and if he fails to do so, will face court proceedings.

Mr Crowe has denied the house is dangerous and says he plans to appeal against the notices.

David Norman, Southend councillor responsible for housing, said: “We identified issues associated with this property through joint working with the police and other agencies.

“In collaboration with other agencies, our private sector housing team obtained a warrant to enter the premises after the owner had previously refused to let them in.

“Our staff found a number of hazards, as well as breaches of rules for houses in multiple occupation, and have served prohibition orders and improvement notices for the property.

“The owner must comply with these within a set time limit, or face further legal action.

“We make every effort to develop good working relationships with private landlords, but if rules are ignored, then we will take action to keep tenants safe.”

Speaking to the Echo yesterday, an angry Mr Crowe said: “They raided my house and the police threatened to kick the door down before I let them in.

“They said I refused an inspection, but I didn’t.

“They also said they suspected I had illegal immigrants here, but they didn’t find any.

“The woman from the council said my electrics weren’t safe, but that was just after a glance at them.

“I have trip switches everywhere which can cut the power in seconds, so I know they are safe. They also said I hadn’t got enough storage space for people. but there is lots. There are problems in one flat. The shower doesn’t work and I accept that. but the guy won’t let me in to make repairs.

“I can’t afford to pay the £5,000 it would cost to evict him, so he’s got me over a barrel.”

Mr Crowe claimed to be in the process of “fixing up” the build ing and blamed cashflow problems for not doing more.

He added: “It would cost £50,000 to do it all at once.

“The rubbish in the garden is because I am refurbishing the place.”

TWO ARRESTED AFTER ROW AT HOUSE

A MAN and a woman were arrested after a disturbance at one of the flats in Mr Crow’s building on Tuesday night.

Mr Crowe says he dialled 999 after a row with one of his tenants over rent.

Mr Crowe, who bought the house 15 years ago and lives in one of the flats, said he offered accommodation to people unable to find affordable housing elsewhere.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called at around 7.50pm on Tuesday to reports of a disturbance at a property in Devereux Road, Southend.

“Officers attended and arrested a man and a woman from Southend.

“A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and a 33-yearold woman was arrested on suspicion of an assault on police.

“Monika Flinik, 33, a warehouse worker of Devereux Road, Southend, has since been charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of their duty and is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on October 2.

“The 38-year-old man was released on police bail until October 8, pending further inquiries.”