A landlord in Barnet has been ordered to pay over £24,000 by the courts, after he failed to make the necessary improvements to his empty property.
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Barnet Council offered an Empty Property Grant to Mr Peter Savva in February 2009 to help with improvement to his empty property in Tithe Walk, Mill Hill. The £18,285 grant was offered on the condition that the Council provide tenants to occupy the bungalow for three years after improvement works were finished. The landlord only completed part of the agreed improvements paid for by the Council, which led to the grant being withdrawn.
The case was heard at Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court on Friday 19th April. The Court ordered Mr Savva to pay back the grant with added interest, which amounts to £10,917.91, along with £13,460.32 for legal costs. Mr Savva has the option to appeal.
Barnet Council is now considering various options to make sure the property can be brought back into use as soon as possible.
Cllr Tom Davey, Lead Councillor for Housing said:
“The Council is committed to making sure that properties that have been empty for a long time in the Borough are brought back into use. We are always happy to work with landlords that are serious about renovating and letting their properties, but where this is not possible, the Council will take enforcement action that is in the best interest of Barnet residents.”
