News

Havering landlord must pay substantial fine or face prison

Friday, August 29th, 2025 - Havering Council

A Havering landlord has been ordered to pay £33,698 under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

Havering Council took action against the landlord. Shamsul Huda, who lived at the rented property in Fitzilian Avenue. It follows him breaching two Prohibition Orders which restricted occupancy of the property.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court, the Judge ordered that Huda must pay £33,689.79 under the Proceeds of Crime Act or spend two years in prison.

Huda had previously pleaded guilty for failing to license the property as a House in Multiple Occupation at Barkingside Magistrates Court. He was fined £5,000, for the three separate offences, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £500, and legal costs totalling £14,294.21.

According to Havering Council, Huda has a long history of Housing Act breaches. Previous enforcement actions by the council’s private sector housing team included the service of civil financial penalties. Penalties. A criminal prosecution had also been brought against Huda in 2022.

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:

“All our residents deserve to live in safe accommodation and we as a Council will always aim to do all we can to help make that happen.

“We will continue to crack down on irresponsible landlords taking advantage of families and individuals by providing poorly maintained HMO properties.

“We also won’t tolerate landlords not having the correct licences and breaching said licences, as this case shows, we will take the strongest action possible.”

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in Havering is available here.