The latest coup by Hillingdon Council’s ‘beds in sheds’ team has seen a couple from the borough fined £58,750 for housing breaches following an intensive investigation.
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The owner of 48 West Drayton Road in Uxbridge Thangam Rana and landlord, her husband Tahir Rana, failed to license the property as a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO), meaning that it complies with housing legislation which covers fire safety and is fit to live in. The Ranas had also broken a prohibition order, which called for them to stop using an illegal inner room as a living space, and SIX other HMO management regulations.
The property, which was found to be below the appropriate standard for rent; with inadequate heating, no basic fire precautions, dangerous electrics and gas leakage, had been occupied by families with young children including two infants of aged six-months and younger. The couple were receiving around £2,935 per month in rent.
“We’re sending a strong message that we will stop landlords profiteering from renting out cramped, squalid, properties and illegal outbuildings,” says Cllr Keith Burrows, Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling.
“In this case the landlord was raking in nearly £3,000 in cash each month, from people living in appalling conditions and we will continue to pursue other rogue landlords – because this practice is not welcome in Hillingdon.”
Thangam and Tahir Rana were sentenced at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 20 August. Tahir fined a total of £55,000 and Thangam was also ordered to pay £3,750, with a £120 collection order. She also owes Hillingdon Council more than £16,800 in Council Tax which officers will continue to pursue.
Full costs of £2,725 were awarded to the London Borough of Hillingdon following joint action by Hillingdon Council’s Private Sector Housing and Planning Enforcement teams together with the Metropolitan Police.
