Landlords in Redbridge are reminded of their legal duties to tenants, as two more prosecutions are successfully won in court by the Council.
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Teslim Olawale Kuti from Hazel Close in London was fined at Havering Magistrates Court on 14 June for poor management of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Paget Road Ilford. He was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £1,100 costs.
The landlord failed to take all reasonable measures to protect the occupiers. The premises had no fire alarm, fire fighting equipment or fire doors which placed the tenants at risk.
Joint investigation
A joint investigation was carried out with the London Fire Brigade after a fire broke out and one occupant was rescued by a passer-by. There was also someone found living in a ‘Bed in Shed’ garage structure at the back of the property. A Prohibition Order has since been served to stop anyone from living in the garage.
Steve Brown, Borough Commander for London Fire Brigade said, “The London Fire Brigade in Redbridge have been working closely with our partner agencies and in particular the Council’s Housing Standards team to educate both Landlords and Tenants about what is required to provide safe and acceptable accommodation. This result provides a clear warning that where necessary, enforcement action will be undertaken in order to protect the residents of Redbridge”
Harprit Singh Saroa and Pritpal Kaur Saroa from Hereford Gardens, Ilford were also prosecuted at Havering Magistrates’ Court on Friday 14 June 2013 for failing to license an HMO in The Drive Ilford and failing to produce documents. They were each fined £2,500 and ordered to pay a total of £1,400 costs to Redbridge Council.
Appropriate HMO licence required
Landlords with properties of three or more storeys which are occupied by five or more people from two or more households are required by law to apply for and obtain a Mandatory HMO Licence from the Council. The licence ensures the landlord has the appropriate procedures and amenities in place to protect their tenants such as fire safety, gas safety and adequate kitchen and bathroom facilities.
These latest prosecutions follow on a high profile operation to tackle the issue of Beds in Sheds. On Thursday 9 May 2013, Housing Enforcement Officers executed a Court warrant at two addresses on High Road, Ilford. Council officers along with officers from the London Fire Brigade, Redbridge Community Policing Team and a team of Home Office Immigration Enforcement Officers were also in attendance.
Both the structures had been constructed without Planning or Building Control consent. Home Office Immigration Enforcement Officers made six arrests for a range of immigration offences. A Prohibition Order has subsequently been served on one unsafe structure and the investigation is on-going.
Tough enforcement action will be taken
Councillor Michelle Dunn, Cabinet Member for Housing said, “We are determined to take tough enforcement action against landlords who let out illegal and unsafe accommodation for financial gain. They are placing vulnerable and low income tenants at considerable risk and the outcome could be tragic”.
