Landlord narrowly avoids prison for unlawful eviction

Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 - Barnet Council

A private landlord has received a 26 week suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £20,000 after a Judge found him guilty of harassing a tenant and leaving her homeless after unlawfully evicting her. 

Qamil Cama, a building company owner from Brent, who was illegally renting out his property on Crescent Road, Finchley, was also found to be in breach of a planning enforcement notice issued by Barnet Council.

Speaking from behind a screen at the two-day trial, the tenant stated she had been living in the property since September 2023 and had a verbal monthly cash rental agreement of £800 inclusive of bills. 

Things took a turn for the worse when the landlord began demanding extra cash on a weekly basis to cover bills. When the tenant began to question the extra payments, Cama became verbally and physically aggressive towards her, which resulted in her eviction in early April 2024. 

The tenant spoke of multiple altercations with the landlord, including him entering the property at 7am, demanding cash, locking her in the property and eventually throwing her and her belongings onto the street. She also spoke of an incident where Cama became physically aggressive towards her, pushing her in the chest.

In November 2017, Barnet Council had served a planning enforcement notice on the property after planning officers found works on the building did not comply with planning permission which had been granted in 2012. 

The planning permission had allowed for the creation of two garages to be built on site with a basement. However, the building was instead turned into a residential unit which was then rented out. 

Cama appeared at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on 27 March 2025, where he was found guilty of failing to comply with the requirements of an enforcement notice issued by the council, and two separate landlord offences under the Protection of Eviction Act 1977.

He was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activity. He was further ordered to pay £20,000 in fines and costs including £10,000 compensation to the tenant.

In sentencing him on 15 May 2025, the judge described Cama’s actions as that of a “rogue landlord” and said “that he was lucky the prisons were full”.

Cllr Ross Houston, Barnet Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration said: 

“This prosecution sends out a clear message that planning regulations are there for a reason, and anyone intent on flouting the rules in Barnet will be punished accordingly.

“This case is a great example of cross working collaboration between the council’s planning enforcement and housing regulatory services teams to achieve this successful action. 

“The safety of our residents is paramount and any landlords or property owners acting in this manner will not be tolerated.”

According to the council, this Crescent Road property is suspected of still being occupied, in which case a second prosecution and possible plans to demolish the building will be considered by the council’s planning department.

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

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