One of the highest fines for Housing Act offences has been handed out by Redbridge Council to two landlords for renting out an unsafe House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Rana Mohammed Irfan and his wife Naheed Rana Irfan both of De Vere Gardens, Ilford were prosecuted and fined a total of £65,970 after the Council’s Housing Standards team and Redbridge Community Police Team Enforcement visited their two storey property in Roman Road, Ilford on several occasions and discovered the property had been illegally converted into five 'studio' flats, but with no fire alarm system, unprotected escape routes, defective electrics and water leaks.
Cllr Muhammed Javed, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “We will not tolerate landlords who place tenants’ lives at risk by renting out unsafe and badly managed properties. This case should act as a warning to others. Rogue landlords are not welcome in Redbridge and will be subject to thorough investigation by our Housing Standards team. Although the council is vigilant in pursuing bad landlords, if you are affected please do make sure you let us know. "Fortunately, we recognise that most landlords do take their responsibilities seriously and I am pleased to say we now have over 550 accredited landlords in Redbridge.”
The condition of the property was so bad that the landlords were served with an Emergency Prohibition Order in July 2012 to prevent the property from being occupied. Despite this, the landlords continued to rent out the property in breach of the Emergency Prohibition Order. In March 2013, they were prosecuted for housing offences by Redbridge Council and pleaded guilty, but the offences continued.
Each landlord was ordered to pay £32,985, comprising a £7,430 Confiscation Order (for the profit made renting out the property while the Prohibition Order was in force), £2,250 for each for the six management offences and £3,250 for each of the three breaches of the Prohibition Order plus costs of £2,305 totalling £65,970. If they fail to make full payment within five months, they will each face an 18 month prison sentence.
