Amar Shazad, from Walthamstow, admitted eight offences of failing to keep the flat he rented out, on Sprowston Mews, Forest Gate, ‘in good and clean decorative repair’. (Photos on Flickr)
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He was fined £1750 and ordered to pay costs of £600 at Thames Magistrates’ Court (January 18th).
Horrified council housing enforcement officers discovered the filthy, mouldy flat, which had a hole from the staircase into a car repair workshop below.
Officers found exposed wires, kitchen cupboard doors off their hinges and unsafe coverings and repairs to the staircase. There was a cockroach on the hallway carpet.
The successul prosecution comes as Newham Council has finished the first phase of a consultation process over licensing all private landlords.
If given the go-ahead, Newham would be the first borough in the country to do this. The proposals are backed by national housing charity Shelter which has urged other councils to follow the council’s lead.
Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “This proposed scheme shows that Newham is leading the country when it comes to tackling bad landlords who flout the law.
“We want to ensure that private sector rented properties are well managed and meet a good standard. We also want to deal with the crime and anti-social behaviour that is sometimes associated with bad private sector rented housing.
“There are good landlords in Newham and we want to work with them. Unfortunately there are also some unscrupulous ones – which these proposals would target.”
Sir Robin added: “We will never accept private sector tenants being directly exploited by landlords who force them to live in dangerous and unacceptable conditions.
“Good landlords have nothing to fear from this scheme. For the bad ones, this a clear message they must clean up their act.”
Kay Boycott, director of communications, policy and campaigns at Shelter, said: “We are delighted to hear that Newham Council could be introducing this scheme, which would help protect vulnerable tenants from rogue landlords who are making their tenants’ lives hell.
“We urge other local councils to follow Newham’s lead in sending a clear signal that enforcing the law against rogue landlords is a priority.”
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