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Kilburn landlord who stripped roof whilst tenants living inside given hefty fine
A Kilburn landlord, who housed more than 25 tenants in a rundown property has been found guilty of serious housing offences.
Salah Ali’s three-storey house in Willesden Lane, Kilburn, became a nightmare for neighbours who complained to the council about the property’s overflowing rubbish bins creating a breeding ground for rodents.
In July 2018, the Fire Brigade was called to stop a leak at the house caused by workers removing the property’s roof while tenants were still living inside. Council enforcement officers visited the property following this incident and served Mr Ali with a prohibition order to prevent rooms being rented out due to the unsafe conditions. Brent’s housing team assisted the tenants in finding new homes.
On Monday 22 July 2019, Willesden Magistrates Court found Mr Ali guilty of housing breaches and a failure to obtain a licence for his property.
Brent Council was able to prove that he had been receiving rent paid by the tenants living in the overcrowded, unlicensed HMO, although he had not been managing the property himself.
Mr Ali, of Carlton Avenue East, Wembley, was ordered to pay a £25,500 fine.
Cllr Eleanor Southwood, Cabinet Member for Housing and Welfare Reform at Brent Council said:
“A landlord who receives money from tenants is responsible for ensuring that his or her property is licensed and meeting the requirements of that licence. The tenants who were living in Mr Ali’s property in Willesden Lane had to suffer unsafe conditions until the council stepped in. Every Brent resident has the right to live in a safe home of a decent standard.“
Brent Council are currently consulting on plans to extend their property licensing schemes and more information is available on the council’s website.
A free guide containing more detailed information about property licensing in the London Borough of Brent is available here.
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