Enfield Council cracking down on property licensing and planning infringements

Monday, April 22nd, 2024 - Enfield Council

Two property agents who failed to get their rented properties licensed have been prosecuted by Enfield Council.

Guaranteed rent company prosecuted for licensing offence

In the first case, Mansur Duzgan, sole director of Guaranteed Rent GD Limited, together with his company have both been prosecuted after failing to obtain a licence for a property in Edmonton, a requirement under Enfield Council’s selective licensing scheme.

On Thursday 29 February, at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, Mansur Duzgan and Guaranteed Rent GD Limited of Kendal Parade, Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 were convicted for offences under section 95 of the Housing Act 2004, namely managing and having control of a private rented property in College Close N18 which was unlicensed.

Both the company and director were ordered to pay a fine of £1,000 and costs of £3,450, totalling £4,450 each.

The Judge commented: “The defendant should have just cooperated, and he would have avoided this situation altogether, and then he compounded things by seeking to pull the wool over Enfield [Council’s] eyes.”

Ponders End agent found guilty in their absence

In the second case, Portfolio Property Services (UK) Limited in Ponders End were convicted for failing to license a property in Scotland Green Road North EN3.

Despite failing to attend a hearing in Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on 8 February, Portfolio Property Services (UK) Limited was found guilty and was ordered to pay a total of £5,451.80 made up of a fine of £3,000, costs of £1,251.80 and a victim surcharge of £1,200.

The prosecutions show Enfield Council is taking robust action against non-compliant landlords and letting agents who break the law.

In the London Borough of Enfield, mandatory and additional licensing schemes apply borough wide and selective licensing applies to all privately rented residential properties occupied by a single family or two unrelated sharers in 14 council wards.

Enfield Council stepping up planning enforcement action

Earlier this month, Enfield Council announced significant uplift in their planning enforcement action. More than 200 enforcement notices were served by the council in 2023, compared to just 8 notices in 2022. This ranks Enfield Council second nationally for government performance in issuing contravention notices.

The council have said planning enforcement officers are diligently investigate violations such as unauthorised building work, non-compliance with planning conditions, and unauthorised changes to building or land use.

In Enfield, an HMO Article 4 Direction applies borough wide, meaning change of use from a single family home of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) requires planning permission.

Leader of Enfield Council, Cllr Nesil Caliskan said:

“Achieving and creating a more effective planning and enforcement department at Enfield Council has been a top priority for our administration. “The Cabinet Member together with the whole of Cabinet and senior council officers have been laser focused on driving this improvement, and we are committed to continuing this work going forward.”

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in the London Borough of Enfield is available here.

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