A landlord has been prosecuted after renting out an unsafe and unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

The three storey property in Cavenham Gardens, Ilford was found to be occupied by nine unrelated people including two children, one being only 18 months old.

The property had no fire alarm system, unprotected escape routes, obstructed fire escapes in addition to defective electrical installation, a mouse infestation and missing guarding to the staircase.

Cllr Muhammed Javed, Redbridge Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The conditions found at this property were truly appalling and placed the tenants’ safety at considerable risk. These sort of conditions will not be tolerated by Redbridge Council and landlords who flout the law can expect to face being caught and prosecuted. I believe it’s a right of everyone to live in safe and secure accommodation.”

The landlord, Abdul Rashid Warishaully, aged 44, of South Park Road, Ilford was served with an Emergency Prohibition Order to prevent the property from being occupied, however he reconnected the unsafe electrics and continued to rent out the property.

He was found guilty of 15 offences under the Housing Act 2004 which included housing management offences, breaches of the Emergency Prohibition Order, failing to license an HMO, and failing to provide the Council copies of safety certificates, and ordered to pay a fine of £16,000 plus costs of £2,794 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Redbridge Council is currently running an HMO licensing amnesty and is giving landlords until 31 August 2014 to submit their licence application.

An enforcement campaign will begin on 1 September 2014 to target landlords who do not come forward to apply for a licence and the we will prosecute where appropriate, which could result in a £20,000 fine.

Further information is available at www.redbridge.gov.uk/hmo.