A landlord who persistently failed to license several of his properties in Mitcham has had them seized by Merton Council.

The authority will take temporary control of the homes and direct the tenants’ rental incomes into health and safety improvements.

The owner remains responsible for paying the mortgages.

All of the private rented homes must now be licensed under the council’s ‘Selective Licensing Scheme’.

This gives the council powers to tackle poor property conditions and antisocial behaviour in these areas.

Council officers inspected the homes following a complaint from the people who live there.

Officers issued several notices to the homeowner, who ignored the orders for months.