A council chairman has resigned after being found to have unlawfully operated unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

The Reform UK chairman at Warwickshire County Council, Cllr Edward Harris, had been issued two emergency prohibition notices by Tamworth Borough Council following the discovery of ‘multiple serious safety failures’ at the private rental properties he owned.

According to Tamworth BC, Cllr Harris had housed multiple tenants in the six-bedroom properties. However, he is said to have placed people in dangerous living conditions, which lacked central heating, hot water, functioning fire alarms, suitable cooking facilities and safe access to outdoor spaces.

An inspection by council officers found that the properties did not meet ‘even the most basic living standards’ or legal requirements, which Cllr Ben Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning at Tamworth BC, has highlighted are ‘not negotiable’.

The council confirmed that it had repeatedly warned Cllr Harris that the issues must be resolved, but the notices were ignored by both the landlord and management agent Touchstone, which had been responsible for one of the properties since September.

The two properties have since been closed by the local authority, while Cllr Harris has resigned from his position as chairman ‘with immediate effect’.

Cllr Clarke said: ‘Safety is always a priority, and in this case, the state of the properties left no choice but to act. We saw local people living in dangerous conditions and a landlord who simply refused to act despite repeated warnings.’

The local authority has also reinforced its commitment to ensuring acceptable property standards are maintained across the region, as well as providing reassurance that those impacted by the closure have received support in finding new accommodation.

Cllr Clarke 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.’

In a statement, Warwickshire County Council said Cllr Harris will now sit as an independent member and confirmed that a new chairman will be elected at a council meeting on Thursday this week.