The number of families in B&B accommodation is a “key priority” for the council particularly after “several hundred” landlords asked for properties back.

Father-of-two, Mohammed Djitli, who has been living at Imperial Guest House, in Groved Road, Chadwell Heath with his family since April, addressed Redbridge Council to find out what they are doing to reduce the number of people staying in B&Bs.

Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Michelle Dunn, said: “I am very concerned about the number of families in B&B accommodation and it is a key priority for me. The problem has come about after a high number of private sector landlords have taken back several hundred of their properties, which we have used successfully for many years.

“It appears they give them out to more attractive private renters and we just cannot compete.”

Cllr Dunn revealed that 223 households were using B&B’s and nightly lets at the end of June.

Mr Djitli said: “My son has special needs and regularly needs to go to hospital. We have been told he needs space to help his condition but the council don’t seem to be doing anything.

“I just want to know what they are doing to help this dire situation.”

The council said they are looking at providing more hostels and suitable temporary housing while increasing tenancies from the private sector.