Self-styled ‘HMO Daddy’ Jim Haliburton – also known as the Black Country’s bedsit king – has crossed swords with a local council after turning two buildings into Houses of Multiple Occupation without planning permission.

With 22 single bedrooms between them, they have been in use for over a year.

Now the tenants are set to be made to leave, with an enforcement order requiring the properties to be returned to their original use.

Haliburton, who owns J9 Accommodation, is said to have completely ignored legislation, including failing to conduct fire risk assessments.

Asked why he had not applied for planning permission, he said the process was “too time-consuming”.

He said: “The only thing I’m guilty of is buying empty derelict buildings and turning them into low-cost valuable housing for working residents, which can only be good for the area.

“Applying for planning permission is a long process and very time-consuming but the quality of accommodation I provide is of the highest standard, going over and above fire safety procedures.”

Complaints were originally made about the two buildings in April last year. Since then, applications have been made to formally ‘change the use’ but both have been rejected by the council.

Haliburton, who has appeared in TV documentaries, buys rundown properties and turns them into very small bedsits.

His firm currently owns 900, with most of the tenants on benefits.

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