The owner of a chain of six shops in London has been fined £10,450 for the appalling housing conditions of his tenants above his shop, the Sunrise convenience store in Shaftesbury Avenue.
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At Highbury Magistrates court on 3 May, Mr Bakyaraj Selva pleaded guilty to nine offences under house in multiple occupation (HMO) regulations as landlord for the property above the shop. In addition to the high fine of £10,450, Mr Selva was also ordered to pay £2,784.95 costs.
Camden’s environmental health team visited the premises as part of a joint inspection with the Police and Border Agency on 13 July 2012. Following a further inspection on 6 December 2012 the conditions had not improved so Camden began a prosecution.
During the hearing the Magistrate said that it was “unacceptable for tenants to live in such squalor” as evidence was heard about the extensive dampness, poor fire safety and a lack of maintenance in the four storey property. The court formed the view that Mr Selva had not improved the property as he wished to maximise his rental profit by limiting the amount of money he spent on it. The necessary work was only done after the tenants moved out and Mr Selva spent £30, 000 improving it so he could live there himself.
Photographic evidence was provided to the court, including images showing inadequate fire safety, fire exits blocked by debris and fire doors that didn’t close properly. Damp was evident throughout the property and a grease coated kitchen had a plastic container with sink waste dripping into it.
Camden Council cabinet member for housing, Councillor Julian Fulbrook, said:
“This was a particularly horrifying case; the tenants were not only living in unsanitary conditions they were also at considerable risk because of the inadequate fire escape route.
“We want to make sure that as many people as possible who live in Camden have safe, comfortable and affordable places to live. We will continue to prosecute landlords who put their personal profit above the safety of their tenants.”
