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Hackney landlords fined £22,000 for letting out unlicensed and unsafe property
Rogue landlords who illegally let a Clapton property without providing proper washing facilities or tackling serious fire hazards have been fined after a Hackney Council prosecution.
Landlords Ella Louise Hill and Tyrone Bhahari Jnr were fined more than £22,000 after letting out the property on Durrington Road E5, without following proper safety and hygiene standards, or even applying for the required property licence.
Thames Magistrates Court heard on Monday 8 February that the joint owners Ella Louise Hill and Tyrone Bhahari Jnr failed to maintain fire doors in the building which could impact escape routes in the home in the event of a fire. They also increased the risk to the tenants through a lack of working smoke alarms to provide early warning in the event of a fire.
The Court also heard that the bathroom had not been maintained, with damage to the washing facilities and faults with the water supply leaving the tenants without adequate washing facilities.
Following an investigation, council enforcement officers took swift legal action against the landlords to protect the tenants.
Ella Louise Hill and Tyrone Bhahari Jnr were charged with failure to license a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and several breaches of the HMO management regulations.
The landlords failed to attend court and the case was found proven in their absence.
Cllr Sem Moema, Mayoral Advisor for Private Renting and Housing Affordability at Hackney Council commented:
“The current lockdown measures have highlighted just how important a good, secure and safe place to live is – which is why it’s more important than ever that we’re taking action against landlords who take advantage of Hackney’s housing crisis and subject their tenants to illegal and dangerous living conditions.
“Nobody should have to live like this – let alone private tenants paying the rocketing rents that are now the norm in Hackney.
“With expanded licensing measures now guaranteeing better conditions for thousands of renters across Hackney, this sends a clear message that landlords who don’t get the licence they need will be identified and brought before the courts. I’m delighted that those responsible are getting the punishment they deserve.“
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