Tag: Brent
Your landlord meeting or event could be advertised here – contact us for more information
If you are organising a meeting or event for London landlords then you can reach a wide audiance by getting it listed on the London Property Licensing website. For trade fairs and council or landlord association meetings there is no charge. Yes, it’s completely free! We only charge to advertise […]
read moreLLAS & Partners Training, Networking and Summer BBQ – 10 July 2025
Date: Thursday 10 July, 11.30am to 6pm Venue: Taj Hotel, St James Court, 45-54 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF Cost: £100 for accredited landlords / agents, £135 for others About: The London Landlord Accreditation Scheme (LLAS) invite you to join them for this informative training and networking event. Full details will be announced soon. […]
read moreNational Landlord Investment Show – 9 July 2025
Date: Wednesday 9 July, 8.30am – 5pm Venue: 1 Old Billingsgate Walk, London EC3R 6DX Cost: Free About: Visit the National Landlord Investment Show and get unparalleled advice, meeting leading suppliers, networking and sharing knowledge with your peers. Entry is free, all you have to do is register. More information […]
read moreProperty Investor Show – 11 & 12 April 2025
Date: Friday 11 & Saturday 12 April, 10am to 6pm (5pm close on Saturday) Venue: Excel, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL Cost: Free About: The UK’s leading event property expo is the premier exhibition for anyone looking to make money from property investment – in the short or long term. Better still, […]
read moreNational HMO Network Conference and AGM – 10 April 2025
Date: Thursday 10 April, 9.30am to 5.30pm Venue: London Fire Brigade Headquarters, Union Street, London SE1 0LL Cost: £197 About: For over 35 years, National HMO Network have been the leading authority in the HMO sector, representing real people from all areas of the industry, from landlords and agents to enforcement officers and legal experts. Why […]
read moreApplication for Rent Repayment Order unsuccessful as application was out of time
As a member of the HMO team at Freemans Solicitors, I was instructed to represent Rimal Properties Limited in this significant case where I successfully secured the discharge of an application for a Rent Repayment Order. I presented two legal arguments in an appeal before the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) regarding the […]
read moreBrent Council launch consultation on plans to renew additional HMO licensing scheme
Brent residents are being asked to have their say on plans to improve living conditions in private rented homes. An online survey which started on 10 March 2025 invites tenants, landlords, and anyone affected to give their views on Brent Council’s proposals to improve living standards for Houses in Multiple […]
read moreBrent Additional Licensing Consultation – 10 March to 10 June 2025
Date: Monday 10 March to 10 June 2025 About: Brent Council has launched a consultation on plans to renew their additional licensing scheme. In Brent, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) need to be licensed if they are occupied by five or more people and fall within the mandatory HMO licensing scheme. […]
read moreGovernment have lifted restrictions on implementing large selective licensing schemes
In a decision made just before the Christmas holiday, the government have relaxed the rules for implementing new selective landlord licensing schemes in England as part of their devolution plans. Since April 2015, local authorities have been unable to implement new selective licensing schemes covering over 20% of the local […]
read moreSearch underway for unlicensed private rented homes in Brent
Enforcement officers have begun patrolling the streets in Brent to ensure all private rented homes are correctly licensed. The first street patrol took place six months after selective licensing was extended borough-wide. In Brent, every landlord who rents out a property must ensure it is correctly licensed, except for single […]
read moreSuccessful appeals against HMO licence conditions
When it comes to HMO licensing, I always stress to clients the importance of checking what HMO licence conditions have been imposed. In my opinion, there are only two options guaranteed to achieve compliance. Read and understand all the licence conditions and comply with them in full, or actively challenge […]
read moreUnlicensed and overcrowded HMO leads to criminal conviction and almost £50,000 penalty for Brent landlord
A landlord whose tenants were paying £3,500 to live in an overcrowded house of horrors has been handed fines totalling nearly £50,000. Willesden Magistrates Court ordered Sanjay Patel to pay £49,495 for breaches to the Housing Act at a semi-detached house that he managed in Vivian Avenue, Wembley. The nearly […]
read moreHow does HMO licensing apply to purpose-built student accommodation providers?
A recent rent repayment order (“RRO”) tribunal case has again highlighted the importance of purpose-built student accommodation (“PBSA”) providers being aware of their obligations in respect of licensing houses in multiple occupation (“HMOs”). In the decision of LDC (Ferry Lane) GP3 Ltd v Garro & Ors, the Upper Tribunal dismissed the PBSA […]
read morePressure is on for landlords to get licensed in Brent
Time is running out for landlords and agents letting out properties in Brent to get licensed. Those who don’t will soon face hefty fines or prosecution. Brent Council is actively enforcing the licensing scheme and searching for unlicensed landlords. Borough-wide licensing in Brent has been the law since April 2024. […]
read moreWhere next for regulation of the private rented sector?
With the general election now behind us, we have a new Labour government with a significant parliamentary majority and a strong mandate for change. Within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (the department has reverted to its old name), the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP has been appointed […]
read moreBefore imposing a financial penalty or pursuing a banning order against a private landlord, the local authority must serve a valid notice of intent
The precision and clarity of notices of intent (NOIs) served by local authorities is crucial, especially since some defects in the notices can invalidate them while others don’t, leaving landlords uncertain. Contrasting outcomes in two recent cases discussed below demonstrates that if the council wants to punish you for breaches […]
read moreGovernment promise review of local authority property licensing schemes
In a letter that was leaked to the media, Jacob Young MP, Minister for Levelling Up has written to all Conservative MPs setting out a range of proposals to ensure the Renters Reform Bill strikes the right balance between delivering security for tenants and fairness for landlords. In the letter, […]
read moreNew property licensing schemes introduced in Brent and Tower Hamlets
New property licensing schemes came into force in the London Boroughs of Brent and Tower Hamlets on 1 April 2024. New selective licensing scheme in Brent A large new selective licensing scheme came into force in the London Borough of Brent on 1 April 2024. Within Brent, it was already […]
read moreHarlesden landlord hit with fines and costs totalling £9,000 for putting safety of tenant at risk
A private landlord has been slammed with £9,000 in fines and costs for ignoring notices served by Brent Council to improve his property. Following reports of disrepair from a tenant of the flat in Harlesden, the council inspected the property and uncovered a range of hazards, including ventilation issues and […]
read moreGovernment U-turn on HMO licensing exemption for properties housing asylum seekers
In a significant development, the government have withdrawn draft regulations that would have exempted properties occupied by asylum seekers from the House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing regime. A Judicial Review challenging the lawfulness of the draft Houses in Multiple Occupation (Asylum-Seeker) Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 was due to take […]
read moreUpper Tribunal ruling explores adequacy of reasons for serving landlord civil penalty notices
The Upper Tribunal has provided guidance and advice on the vexed question of how local authorities should comply with their duty to provide reasons when issuing civil penalty notices (“CPNs”) that allege the commission of housing offences [Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council v Wang [2024] UKUT 24 (LC)]. Under s.249A of […]
read moreGovernment approves major new landlord licensing scheme in Brent
All landlords renting out properties in Brent will soon be legally required to have a selective licence, except in the council ward of Wembley Park. Brent Council already operates borough wide mandatory HMO and additional licensing schemes together with a selective licensing scheme in the council wards of Dollis Hill, Willesden […]
read moreCan landlords return a tenancy deposit by cheque?
There are various reasons why a landlord of residential property might want to give a tenancy deposit back to the tenant. If the landlord wants the tenant to move out, early return of the deposit will help the tenant with getting together cash needed to secure new accommodation. Sometimes it […]
read moreWembley landlord given Brent Council’s first ever banning order
A criminal businessman has been given Brent’s first ever rogue landlord banning order. So-called property dealer, Jaydipkumar Rameshchandra Valand, who lives with his family in Swinderby Road, Wembley Central, has been banned from letting out houses in England and engaging in any sort of property management work in the country […]
read moreAppeals against the imposition of financial penalties under Housing Act 2004: extensions of time when appeals are submitted late
The Upper Tribunal (“UT”) has allowed an appeal brought by a landlord against a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (“FTT”) that had refused him an extension of time in which to bring a challenge against a council’s imposition of a £13,250 penalty. In Kazi v. Bradford MDC [2023] […]
read moreDawn raid discovers 11 people crammed into grimy rundown semi in Wembley
Brent Council housing enforcement officers found 11 people crammed inside a three-bed semi-detached house following an early morning raid last month following a tip-off from eagled-eyed residents. Housing enforcement officers entered the property in West Hill, Wembley, accompanied by police officers, shortly after 6am. They found tenants sleeping in every […]
read moreExcessive and unjust – Upper Tribunal decision on council’s civil financial penalty policy
This landmark judgement by the Upper Tribunal brings further clarity to how civil financial penalties for HMO licensing offences should be calculated. In March 2022, Leicester City Council imposed a civil financial penalty of £29,817 under section 72(1) of the Housing Act 2004. It was a two storey property containing […]
read moreGreen light for new selective licensing scheme in Brent
Landlords renting out homes in the Brent Council wards of Dollis Hill, Willesden Green and Harlesden & Kensal Green will legally be required to have a licence from 1 August 2023 after Brent’s cabinet voted in favour of introducing a new selective licensing scheme. The three wards were selected following […]
read moreRent Repayment Orders: why a landlord’s excuse must remain reasonable for the duration of the offence
The Upper Tribunal has imposed a rent repayment order on a landlord despite accepting that he was told by the council that he did not need a licence and that he would later be invited to apply for a licence. The case of Marigold and Ors v Wells [2023] UKUT […]
read moreNine point guide to spotting an out-of-date tenancy agreement
It is very important for landlords and letting agents to keep their tenancy agreements updated. Housing law changes constantly, and an old agreement will contain references to legislation which has been repealed. An out-of-date template will not accurately reflect the rights and duties of the landlord and tenant. Implied terms, […]
read moreHave your say on selective licensing for private rented properties in Brent
A borough-wide consultation on selective landlord licensing for privately rented properties in Brent launched today (31 October 2022) for twelve weeks. The online consultation is open to anyone to have their say on landlord licensing in the borough. Three types of licensing schemes currently operate in the borough: Mandatory HMO […]
read moreNew Brent HMO planning restrictions come into force on 1 November 2022
The London Borough of Brent is introducing new planning restrictions that will remove permitted development rights to convert a single dwelling house (use class C3) into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) with 3 to 6 occupants (use class C4). Background to the decision On 21 October 2019, Brent Council […]
read moreHow far do managers of HMOs need to go to ‘ensure’ compliance with the Management Regulations?
In the recent case of Adil Catering Limited v The City of Westminster Council [2022] UKUT 238 (LC), the Upper Tribunal addressed the question of what does ‘ensure’ mean in the Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Management Regulations. The Tribunal was concerned with the scope of the duty imposed on […]
read moreHow can landlords help low-income families manage the rising cost of living?
You know there’s a problem in the private rented sector when letting agents start talking about the unaffordability of properties for their prospective tenants. Agency chain Hamptons recently released research that sounded the alarm that households are about to be hit by ballooning energy bills and other cost of living […]
read moreUnderstanding banning orders for landlords and letting agents
Banning orders came into force on 6 April 2018 and have given power to local authorities to apply to the First-tier Tribunal (“FtT”) for a ban against private residential landlords or agents where they are convicted of committing a “banning order offence” against a tenant, other occupier of the property […]
read moreLiability of Company Directors for Housing Offences
Corporate structure such as limited companies offer business owners and managers a way to avoid personal liability when things go wrong. The protection offered is mainly protection from commercial risks – the debts of a company do not become the debts of the shareholders and directors can only be held […]
read moreHow to get named and shamed: a guide to notoriety and public disgrace for landlords and agents
Public shaming as a form of punishment might sound barbaric and outdated, but it still exists, adapted for the digital age. The Housing and Planning Act 2016 created the legal foundation for the Government’s Database of Rogue Landlords and Agents, and the promise of this register of criminal landlords and […]
read moreWhat factors are considered when determining the amount of a Rent Repayment Order – Williams v Parmar [ 2021] UKUT 244 (LC)
The First-Tier Tribunal Property Chamber (Residential Property) (“the Tribunal”) has a wide discretion when determining whether to make a rent repayment order. A rent repayment order is an order allowing tenants and local authorities to seek repayment of rent paid where the landlord has committed an offence under section 40(3) […]
read moreWembley landlord ordered to pay £144,000 for renting out illegally converted properties
The landlord of two properties in Wembley has been ordered to pay £144,000 for illegally converting properties into multiple rented units without planning permission. Ms Orofena St. John, built a number of extensions onto a family house in Clarendon Gardens, Wembley and converted the property into seven flats and two […]
read moreNo more RROs against superior landlords – what next after the Court of Appeal’s decision in Rakusen v Jepson?
The Court of Appeal has ruled that only the ‘immediate’ landlord of a tenant can be liable for a rent repayment order in the important decision Rakusen v Jepson. In the First-tier Tribunal, and then a second time in Upper Tribunal, the landlord’s argument that they could not be liable […]
read moreSubstantial fine for landlord of unlicensed HMO in Kensal Green
A private landlord operating an unlicensed and overcrowded property in Kensal Green was recently hit with a fine of more than £21,000 by Willesden Magistrates’ Court. The property was the subject of numerous complaints from neighbours concerning anti-social behaviour at the unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation in Holland Road NW10. […]
read moreFire safety developments in residential buildings
The tragic loss of 72 lives in the Grenfell Tower disaster over 4 years ago brought fire safety in high rise residential buildings (HRRB) into sharp focus. The rapid spread of flames externally was a result of failings to the external wall system ACM and insulation cladding. The ongoing public […]
read moreIs ‘rent-to-rent’ a doomed business model?
There’s no question that ‘rent to rent’ is a risky business model, but many landlords are drawn to its promises of easy money and hassle-free letting. Rent-to-rent continues to be popular among landlords, especially in London. ‘Rent-to-rent’ is a way of letting properties where the owner grants a lease to […]
read moreConfusion over electrical safety regulations leads to threat of enforcement action
I was recently asked for advice by a long standing client who operates a small portfolio of private rented properties. The landlord’s query related to a small HMO in a London Borough. I was familiar with the property as I had inspected it several years earlier. A property licence had […]
read moreWill private landlords be forced to join a ‘redress scheme’?
In England property managers and letting agents are required to be a member of a ‘redress scheme’. A redress scheme is an independent body set up to resolve complaints made by consumers against a member of the scheme. Landlords and agents who have complained to an agent can escalate their […]
read moreLandlord ordered to pay nearly three quarters of a million pounds for renting out illegally converted properties in Willesden
A Crown Court judge has ordered a private landlord to pay back £739,263.58 in illicit earnings made from overcrowded properties in Willesden. It is believed to be the largest such order for a planning breach made anywhere in the country so far this year. The court order was made against […]
read moreDerelict warehouse in Brent transformed into new homes for local people
A derelict warehouse has been transformed into state-of-the-art homes for Brent residents with the help of a grant from the council’s empty property team. Narayan Mews in Willesden now boasts 13 new houses with top quality facilities and furnishings, which will soon be home to local people who would otherwise […]
read morePaper determination’ process is not a fair way to determine criminal guilt says Upper Tribunal
To make a rent repayment order or uphold a financial penalty on appeal, the First-tier Tribunal has to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that a criminal offence has been committed. Cases in the tribunal will not result in a criminal conviction, but a finding that a landlord or agent has […]
read moreHigh Court rules on possession notices and deposit certificates given by company landlords
The High Court recently handed down its decision in Northwood Solihull Ltd v Fearne & Ors [2020] EWHC 3538 (QB). This is an important case for corporate landlords as it explores the requirements for companies when signing notices seeking possession and deposit prescribed information certificates. In the case the judge, […]
read moreFinancial Penalties – not limited to just landlords and agents?
The Housing and Planning Act 2016 introduced a power for local authorities to impose fines of up to £30,000 on landlords and agents who commit a ‘relevant housing offence’ under section 249A(2) of the Housing Act 2004. These civil penalties, alongside banning orders and enhanced rent repayment orders, have changed […]
read moreBrent Council drop plans for borough wide HMO planning restrictions
In an unexpected development, research by London Property Licensing has identified a planning policy reversal by the London Borough of Brent. On 21 October 2019, Brent Council made a non-immediate House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Article 4 Direction to remove permitted development rights to convert a property from a single […]
read moreTemporary Exemption Notices and the extended time period for Notices Seeking Possession
When a property is required to be licensed under the Housing Act 2004 but does not have a licence, in some circumstances the landlord or agent, may request a temporary exemption notice instead of applying for a licence. To do so, the landlord or agent must inform the local council […]
read moreCan Selective Licence conditions require a landlord to attend a training course?
In March this year the Upper Tribunal considered an appeal brought by a landlord who objected to a condition in a selective licence. The landlord, Mr Berg, argued that Burnley Borough Council had no power to impose a requirement for him to attend training courses under the conditions of a […]
read moreCourt of Appeal rules on law on gas safety certificates and section 21 notices
On 18 June the Court of Appeal delivered its judgement in the eagerly anticipated case of Trecarrell House Limited v Rouncefield (2020) EWCA Civ 760. In a split decision, the Court confirmed that where a landlord has given the tenant a gas safety record (“GSR”) late, the s.21 notice will […]
read moreHow many wash hand basins are required in a licensed HMO?
When the mandatory HMO licensing scheme came into force in April 2006, the government directed that in HMOs with five or more occupants, all units of living accommodation must contain a wash hand basin, unless there was already a sink. This highly prescriptive requirement was amended the following year by […]
read moreHigh Court confirm strict liability for operators of unlicensed HMOs
The Divisional Court have delivered their judgment (read here) in the joined cases of R (Mohamed) v Waltham Forest LBC, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) intervening and R (Mohamed) v Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court, Waltham Forest LBC et al, Secretary of State for HCLG intervening [2020] […]
read moreDoes the Covid-19 lockdown mean I can delay starting my appeal or application to the Tribunal?
The Covid-19 pandemic has affected every part of the justice system, with most hearings being conducted by telephone or videoconference where they are not postponed. The Property Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal is in some ways in a better position than other courts and tribunals since most of its work […]
read moreHow quickly should an HMO licence application be processed?
In a recent blog post Richard discussed the government’s online HMO licence application process and raised the question of whether tacit consent can apply to licensing as the government website suggests (read here). He kindly invited me to write a further blog post discussing this issue. The concept of tacit […]
read morePlans to expand selective licensing in Brent placed on hold after government withhold approval
Following a public consultation in Summer 2019, Brent Council’s Cabinet approved plans to renew their borough wide additional licensing scheme, renew their selective licensing scheme in Harlesden, Willesden Green and Wembley Central wards and implement three new selective licensing schemes covering other parts of the borough (read here). Implementation of […]
read moreDo landlords who already have an EICR need a new report to comply with the new electrical safety regulations?
The Government published the draft Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 in January which, subject to parliamentary approval, will impose new electrical safety standards in private rented properties from July 2020. The new regulations will be phased in – coming into force on 1 June […]
read moreLandlord who failed to license three properties in Brent at a cost of £1,620 has been ordered to pay £90,000 penalty
In what could be one of the highest fines for failing to submit selective licence applications, a Brent landlord has been handed £90,000 in fines and court costs after repeatedly ignoring the need to get his private rented properties licensed. Stephen Ige pleaded guilty in Willesden Magistrate Court to knowingly […]
read moreA matter of respect: Upper Tribunal reinstates ‘generous’ penalties for Housing Act 2004 licensing offences
In Waltham Forest LBC v (1) Marshall (2) Ustek [2020] UKUT 0035 (LC) (read here), the Upper Tribunal has affirmed that, when considering an appeal against the amount of a financial penalty imposed under section 249A, Housing Act 2004, the First-tier Tribunal must give “special” and “considerable” weight to the […]
read moreSubmitting HMO licence applications via the gov.uk website
Whilst many councils have developed their own HMO licence application process, some councils signpost landlords to the online application process on the gov.uk website. In some areas, it is the only way you can apply for an HMO licence. Late last year, I was instructed to prepare an HMO licence […]
read moreResidential Property Tribunal Decisions – December 2019 update
Following the rapid expansion of housing regulatory powers, the role of the First-tier Tribunal has become increasingly important as an entry level challenge and review mechanism for the regulatory decision-making process. Keeping abreast of Tribunal decisions can be challenging for all parties. Whilst we publish blogs on significant Upper Tribunal […]
read moreDollis Hill landlord hit with civil penalty turns his property around to achieve compliance
In a positive pre-Christmas news story, a private landlord issued with a £15,000 civil penalty for licensing breaches has turned his rental business around to comply with the law. Ansar Choudhry, of High Wycombe, was fined after Brent Council’s enforcement team raided his converted, three-bedroom semi-detached house in the Dollis […]
read moreDawn raid by Brent Council finds 17 men living in three-bedroom terrace house
On 27 November 2019, enforcement officers from Brent Council awoke 17 men sleeping on mattresses during a dawn raid on a private rented property. The exploited tenants were crammed inside a three-bedroom, two-storey terrace house in Coles Green Road, Dollis Hill. The raid followed a tip-off about a suspected unlicensed […]
read moreSection 21 notice of seeking possession: “use it or lose it”
The ‘use it or lose it’ rules at s21(4D) of the Housing Act 1988 (read here), which apply only in England, prevent a landlord from starting a possession claim more than six months after a section 21 notice is served. The rule that a section 21 notice would expire after […]
read moreHow does the property licensing ‘fit and proper person’ test apply to spent convictions and underlying conduct?
The Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) has held that local authorities may – consistent with the protections in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and when determining applications for property licences under the Housing Act 2004 – consider evidence of conduct underlying spent convictions, and that they are in principle entitled […]
read moreBrent Council’s additional licensing scheme extended until 2025 as consultation starts on new HMO planning restrictions
At a Cabinet meeting on 14 October 2019, Brent Council approved plans for a borough wide additional licensing scheme that will extend licensing to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) within the borough. The new scheme will come into force on 1 February 2020 and continue until 31 January 2025. […]
read moreBanning Order stops landlord from letting property for five years
A banning order has been made against a landlord in Telford, David Beattie. The order will prevent Mr Beattie from letting housing in England (or engaging in letting or property management work) for a period of five years, subject to an exception allowing him to deal with some existing tenancies. […]
read moreUpper Tribunal ruling on licence revocations when a property is sold
There has been an interesting new decision on the licensing of houses in multiple occupation. In Taylor v Mina An Ltd [2019] UKUT 249 (LC) (read here), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has overturned a refusal of a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) by the First Tier Tribunal (FTT). In some ways […]
read moreSuccessful appeal against a civil penalty for an alleged HMO licensing offence
Since 2017, local authorities have been able to impose a financial penalty if they are satisfied, beyond reasonable doubt, that someone has committed a relevant housing offence in England. The relevant offences are: If a relevant offence has been committed, the council can issue a penalty of up to £30,000 […]
read moreKilburn 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 […]
read moreBrent Council secures their largest fine against a criminal landlord who made tenants’ lives a misery
A criminal landlord has been ordered to pay £60,170 fine and £6,000 court costs after being found guilty of making tenants’ lives a misery through licensing breaches. The whopping fine is the biggest fine Brent Council has secured to date and is a reflection of the truly appalling conditions tenants […]
read moreHow to rent guide updated, again!
On 31 May 2019, the government updated the How to Rent guide (here). This was the guide introduced as part of the changes made by the Deregulation Act 2015. The guide needs to be given to all tenancies that are new or renewed for a new fixed term after 1 […]
read moreHave your say on licensing of private rented properties in Brent
A borough-wide consultation on landlord licensing for privately rented properties in Brent was launched on 10 June 2019. The online consultation is open for everyone to have their say on landlord licensing in the borough. Brent Council currently operate mandatory HMO, additional and two selective licensing schemes. People are being […]
read moreCould a change in Prime Minister spark a change in policy for the PRS?
With Theresa May having announced she will step down as Prime Minister, the private rental sector will cast an eye on events, with more than a passing interest in the consequences. The past four years have brought radical change to the buy to let industry, at a time when demand […]
read moreWembley landlord’s application for council tax discount leads to investigation and substantial fine for managing an unlicensed HMO
A rogue landlord who tried to con her tenants, the council tax department and private sector housing team has had her web of lies blown away by Brent Council in court. Diana Thompson of Barn Way, Wembley, pretended that she was a lodger to her tenants who were renting rooms […]
read moreAn end to “no fault” eviction? A legal FAQ on the repeal of section 21
The Government has announced that it is consulting on plans to abolish “no fault” eviction in England by repealing section 21 of the Housing Act 1988. The proposed scrapping of section 21 is to be accompanied by a package of reforms to residential tenancy law, including changes to the Section […]
read moreWhat is the acceptable size for a bedroom in a licensed HMO?
What may seem like a simple question unfortunately has no simple answer. In my experience, assessing the suitability of bedroom sizes is one of the most challenging aspects of HMO licensing. It is an issue I first touched on in a blog published in 2016 (read here). In this latest […]
read moreDawn raid in Wembley finds 19 people living in four bedroom semi
Enforcement officers raided a house in Wembley earlier this month and found 19 tenants who were paying their landlord £1,000 a week between them. Brent’s licensing team discovered a garage that had been illegally turned into two bedrooms with a makeshift partition wall between them; a shed in the process […]
read moreFitness For Human Habitation Act places new obligations on private and social landlords
Just before Christmas, on 20 December 2018, the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill received its Royal Assent becoming the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 (‘FFHH’ for short) (read here). This Act makes changes to the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to require that all landlords ensure that […]
read moreSlum housing conditions lead to £244,367 penalty for Wembley landlords
A Crown Court judge has ordered landlords who crammed 31 tenants into a shanty town-type home to pay thousands of pounds in fines, costs and Confiscation Orders. Mum and daughter, Harsha and Chandni Shah, along with Mrs Harsha Shah’s brother, Sanjay Shah, were pocketing around £112,000 a year by stuffing […]
read moreIs the hiring out of property on Airbnb a breach of the lease?
Bermondsey Exchange Freeholders Limited v Ninos Koumetto (as Trustee in Bankruptcy of Kevin Geoghehan Conway) (2018) (Unreported) This was an appeal before HHJ Luba QC on whether the short term letting/commercial hiring of a flat on Airbnb was prohibited by the terms of a lease, and whether the granting of […]
read moreLandlord who built an illegal bedsit empire across North West London ordered to pay £1.5m or face nine years in prison
A notorious rogue landlord must pay £1,500,000 or spend nine years behind bars after justice caught up with him at Harrow Crown Court last Friday (30 November). The court found that Vispasp Sarkari had flouted planning rules for more than five years – converting properties across Brent and Harrow into […]
read moreIs a ‘let only’ agent responsible for HMO licensing?
Many letting agents still take the view that licensing a property is something for landlords to worry about and they can simply leave it up to them. But managing agents who consider that ensuring that any required HMO or selective licence is in place is not their responsibility are quite […]
read moreWhy Rent Repayment Orders can pose a significant financial risk for private landlords
It is over 12 years since Rent Repayment Orders were first introduced under the Housing Act 2004. The legislation enables local authorities and/or tenants to recover up to 12 months rent if a landlord operates a licensable property without applying for a licence or a temporary exemption from licensing. In […]
read moreLetting agent who rented out a room in breach of HMO licence conditions faces hefty fine
An agent who housed a tenant in a tiny room behind a kitchen has been ordered to pay more than £32,000 in court. Ms Viviane Almieda, of Falcondale Court, Lakeside Drive in Park Royal, pleaded guilty to breaching HMO licensing conditions, including failing to comply with the council’s amenity and […]
read moreImportant changes to section 21 notice of seeking possession procedure after 1 October 2018
As all landlords and agents should be aware the Deregulation Act 2015 made substantial changes to the operation of section 21 notices in Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs) in England. These changes first came into effect on 1 October 2015 but only for tenancies which started or were renewed for new […]
read moreCourt decides that property licensing fees must be charged in two stages and the names of occupants cannot be demanded on a licence renewal application
The case concerns R (Gaskin) v Richmond-upon-Thames LBC [2018] EWHC 1996 (Admin) A three Judge Divisional Court has decided that the HMO licensing scheme under Part 2, Housing Act 2004, is an authorisation scheme for the purposes of the EU Services Directive 2006 (EU Directive 2006/123/EC) and the Provision of […]
read moreHead tenant convicted after subletting a death trap bungalow to 10 people in Wembley
A head tenant who was ripping off other tenants in an overcrowded “death trap” bungalow has been fined tens of thousands of pounds in court. Willesden Magistrates Court found Petru Dregan guilty of breaking housing management regulations, neglecting to protect the safety of tenants from whom he was taking money […]
read moreConviction for managing an unlicensed HMO quashed on appeal: an application must be decided before instigating a prosecution
Mirza (1) City Based Lettings Limited (2) v Newcastle City Council, Newcastle Crown Court, HHJ Gittins, on appeal from Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, 8 June 2018 The Appellants appealed against the decision of the District Judge finding them guilty of three offences under s.72(1) Housing Act 2004: having control of or […]
read moreHead tenant who illegally sublet property to 35 people then changed the locks has been imprisoned for 16 weeks
A head tenant who changed the locks on a property that was being illegally sublet to 35 men has been jailed for 16 weeks for illegal eviction. Ilie Florin Dragusin bolted the men out of a converted three-bedroom semi-detached house after the property was raided by Brent Council’s enforcement team […]
read moreNew selective licensing scheme launched in five Brent council wards on 1 June 2018
A second selective licensing scheme covering five council wards was introduced in the London Borough of Brent on 1 June 2018. Under the new scheme, all private rented properties in the council wards of Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queen’s Park must now be licensed by the council. […]
read moreEnvironmental Health and Housing: issues in public health
A staggering amount has changed around housing policy and law since Environmental Health and Housing was first published in 2001. The completely revised second edition, ‘Environmental Health and Housing: issues in public health’ is due for publication in June 2018. This edition places environmental health more centrally within the public […]
read moreWillesden Green landlord fined £10,000 for failing to obtain an HMO licence
A Willesden Green landlord has been fined £10,000 and ordered to pay £3,300 court costs after failing to license a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). In February 2018, the managing agent, Easy Let agency, had been fined £20,229 by Willesden Magistrate Court for failing to license the same overcrowded three-storey, […]
read moreKilburn landlord who failed to comply with improvement notice ordered to pay more than £31,000
A landlord who failed to repair a pigeon-infested loft has been fined a total of £31,026, including an order to pay £7,638 compensation to the tenants. The tenants had complained to Brent Council in May last year after their landlord, Adilsons Property Limited, failed to act on a complaint about […]
read moreCan a landlord really say ‘No DSS’?
A recent report on the BBC (read here) has raised the issue of whether or not a landlord can refuse a tenant solely on the basis of them being on state benefits. It has been quite widely reported and has even caused a question to be raised in the Welsh […]
read moreThree tenants who sublet a three-bed semi to 35 people fined more than £23,000
Three head tenants who rented out a three-bedroom house to 35 men have been sentenced and ordered to pay more than £23,000 in fines. Gheorghe-Valentin Lingurar and Dragusin Ilie Florin were each fined £9,000 as well as £1,470 in costs and victim surcharges at Willesden Magistrates Court on 22 February […]
read moreBrent Council extend selective licensing scheme to another five wards after obtaining government approval
Brent Council have announced that a new selective licensing scheme covering the five wards of Dudden Hill, Kensal Green, Kilburn, Mapesbury and Queen’s Park electoral wards will come into force on 1 June 2018. The council already operates a borough wide additional licensing scheme together with selective licensing in the […]
read moreLandlords and tenants lose their court appeal and are fined more than £11,000 for unlicensed property in Wembley
A pair of landlords and two tenants were fined more than £11,000 combined after losing their appeal against housing convictions at Harrow Crown Court. Landlords, Mr and Mrs Zulifqar and Rozina Bhatti, were found guilty of management regulation breaches, failure to obtain a licence and a failure to respond to […]
read moreLandlord of cockroach infested HMO in Wembley ordered to pay over £58,000
Brent Council have this week reported an important court victory over two irresponsible landlords responsible for appalling conditions at a property in London Road, Wembley. The house, which was converted into seven rooms, was found to be occupied by 27 people including 6 children when the raid took place in […]
read moreKhan and Reid: the Upper Tribunal considers the length of landlords’ property licences
Twice this year the Upper Tribunal (UT) has considered appeals relating to the length of a landlord’s property licence. The first appeal was Waltham Forest v Khan [2017] UKUT 153 (LC) and the second was Waltham Forest v Reid [2017] UKUT 396 (LC). In both appeals the UT examined Waltham […]
read moreLetting agent fee ban bill published
The government has today published its response to the consultation on banning letting agent fees to tenants (read here) along with a draft bill (read here). Consultation Response There was a disparity between the views of agents and tenants in terms of the response to the consultation. Most agents felt […]
read moreRaid by Brent housing officers finds 35 men living in semi-detached house
A dawn raid on a home in a suburban street discovered thirty-five men bedding down on mattresses in every room except the bathrooms. Brent enforcement officers and police entered the converted three-bedroom semi-detached house shortly before 6am yesterday morning (19 September) after neighbours complained about overcrowding, anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping. […]
read moreHarlesden landlord ordered to pay over £300,000 or face prison for illegal flat conversion
A landlord who illegally converted a property into 26 squalid flats has been slapped with more than £338,000 in fines. Nihal Seneviratne and his company, NSV Management Ltd, turned the building in Nicoll Road, Harlesden into 26 studio flats without seeking planning permission in 2011. Brent Council issued Mr Seneviratne […]
read moreBrent enforcement officers raid overcrowded and cockroach-infested house
Earlier this month (August 2017), a team of Brent Council property licensing officers discovered six families living inside a damp, poorly ventilated, cockroach infested 4-bedroom home in London Road, Wembley, after neighbours complained of overcrowding. In one of the rooms, two adults and two children were found to be sharing […]
read moreColindale ‘bed in shed’ landlord ordered to pay £173,141 for breach of planning enforcement notice
A man who illegally housed tenants inside his converted garage has been ordered to pay £173,141 by a court. Amir Golesorkhi turned his garage into two small, substandard flats and had been renting them out to tenants for seven years while he was living in the main house with his […]
read moreDawn raid on slum flat in Burnt Oak uncovers men crammed into appalling conditions
Brent council officers discovered men living mattress to mattress inside a run-down flat above a commercial premises during a dawn raid last week. Police and licensing enforcement officers entered the converted one-bedroom flat in Burnt Oak shortly before 6am following complaints from neighbours about the number of people hanging around […]
read moreBrent Council to seek government approval for borough wide selective licensing
Landlords could soon be required to license all their rented properties in Brent if the government approves plans for a new licensing scheme. On 19 June 2017, Brent Council’s cabinet voted in favour of proposals to extend licensing to all private rented homes in the borough although under rule changes […]
read moreFire safety in HMOs
The shocking events at Grenfell Tower have rightly brought renewed attention to fire safety in residential property. Over the following weeks, months and years there will be a forensic examination of both what went wrong at Grenfell Tower, and more generally, how the regulatory framework for fire safety can function […]
read moreThe absolute tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire
The Grenfell Tower fire should never have happened – pure and simple. The fact that it did and with such disastrous consequences represents a fundamental and systemic failure in the management, refurbishment and regulation of our housing stock. At least 79 people are dead or missing presumed dead according to […]
read moreThe court of appeal gives guidance on the use of housing improvement notices
In Wood v Kingston Upon Hull City Council [2017] EWCA Civ 364, the Court of Appeal considered who should be served with improvement notices and what should be contained in them. The background Mr Wood was the freehold owner of a first floor flat. Kingston upon Hull City Council considered […]
read moreThe importance of client money protection for landlords and tenants
Following recommendations from a government working group to move forward with the mandating of Client Money Protection (CMP) for agents in England, Housing Minister Gavin Barwell announced the following via Twitter on the 27th March: “Today we confirmed we’ll require all agents to protect the client money they handle.” CMP […]
read moreCriminal landlords in Brent order to pay fines totalling half a million pounds
Court fines paid by criminal landlords in Brent have crossed the half a million pound mark since the council launched their ‘zero-tolerance’ approach in January 2016. According to the council, an average of two to five prosecutions take place in Brent every month. A total of 44 prosecutions in 2016/2017 […]
read moreAre you thinking about investing in HMOs?
Understanding all the rules and regulations around Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) is never an easy task. Will the property need planning permission or an HMO licence, what is involved in managing an HMO and is it the right investment decision for you? With so many landlords thinking about entering […]
read moreWembley landlord prosecuted for renting out death trap attic accommodation
A Wembley landlord who housed a family of five, including three children, in a cramped attic has been prosecuted by London Fire Brigade after admitting numerous fire safety offences. Potential death trap Fire chiefs described the crowded house in multiple occupation (HMO) on Ealing Road as a ‘potential death trap.’ […]
read moreYour starter for TEN: temporary exemptions to property licensing
There are sometimes situations where a landlord, through no fault of their own, finds themselves falling foul of one of the property licensing schemes created by Part 2 or Part 3, Housing Act 2004. That is HMO or selective licensing. Landlords can commit criminal offences and be liable for fines, […]
read moreNew civil penalty regime marks a step change in housing regulation
Today’s announcement (6 April 2017) of new civil penalty notices for certain housing offences is likely to come as a surprise for many landlords and letting agents (read here). After all, the compliance risks are huge – a civil penalty of up to £30,000 could be enough to drive many […]
read moreInvestigating carbon monoxide poisoning in private rented homes
In early 2016 I was contacted by The National Grid with regards to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. During the call I was made aware of an investigation about a number of C0 poisoning incidents following an ambulance call and A&E treatment over the weekend. According to National Grid, the common […]
read moreAs a house in multiple occupation (HMO) landlord, am I liable to pay council tax?
The rules governing who is liable to pay council tax when the property is a house in multiple occupation (HMO) are complex. The definition of HMO for council tax purposes is different to that contained in the Housing Act 2004 and used in the context of residential property licensing. Whether […]
read moreBrent Council’s crackdown on rogue landlords results in almost £100,000 court fines in just four weeks
Four weeks of prosecutions by Brent Council has seen six successful landlord prosecutions with total court fines of £97,727, the highest amount recorded by Brent in such a short period. A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay more than £40,000 for failure to licence a flat above commercial premises […]
read moreAdvice for Landlords: How NOT to do rent-to-rent
‘Rent-to-rent’ or ‘guaranteed rent’ has become a popular business model for landlords and letting agents, particularly in London. In a rent-to-rent arrangement the landlord grants a lease to an individual or company, usually for 2-3 years. That person then finds tenants who will occupy the property on a short term […]
read moreCould you help to improve the health of children and communities in Africa?
In the UK we are extremely fortunate; we take safe drinking water piped to our homes for granted, while people in countries like Uganda and Zambia are not so lucky. Can you imagine having to carry all the water you use from a dirty pond more than 1km away? The […]
read moreShould criminal record checks be extended to landlords and letting agents?
A strange question you might think and why would it be needed? Yes, fully understandable for employment that involves working with children but for everyone letting out a private rented property – surely a regulatory step too far? Well, under a little known clause inserted in section 125 of the […]
read moreDisturbing Changes to The Property Ombudsman Letting Code
The Property Ombudsman has made some further amendments to its code of conduct for lettings agents (read here) as from 1 October 2016. This is part of a change to all of the various codes of practice. There are a number of small changes but there is also one very […]
read moreBrent Council launches consultation on new selective licensing scheme
Brent Council has launched a public consultation on extending their selective landlord licensing scheme to what we believe is the whole borough. On 1 January 2015, Brent Council launched a borough wide additional licensing scheme covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) plus a selective landlord licensing scheme covering all […]
read moreHeavy fines for Kingsbury tenants who held Brent council officer against his will
Two Kingsbury men have been convicted of obstructing a Brent Council housing enforcement officer from doing his job and holding him against his will. Willesden Magistrates Court heard that Riken and Raj Patel became highly aggressive towards the officer while he was helping resolve a dispute between them and their […]
read moreStreamlining the licence application process can save time and reduce costs
Keeping up to speed on all the new landlord licensing schemes has become an increasingly complex task for landlords and letting agents. Yet discovering your property needs to be licensed is the first of many hurdles you will need to overcome. The process of applying for a licence can vary […]
read moreAnother Wembley landlord and letting agent prosecuted after six families found living in an unlicensed HMO
A landlord and his letting agent have been fined over £7,500 for cramming six families – comprising 10 adults and six children – into a suburban semi-detached house in Wembley. Willesden Magistrates Court heard that Mohammed Mehdi Ali of Barn Hill in Wembley had not bothered to licence the property, […]
read moreWillesden landlord and letting agent prosecuted for failing to license a house in multiple occupation
A Willesden landlord and his letting agents have been fined over £20,000 and given criminal records for failing to license his rental property and ignoring their tenants’ pleas for essential repairs, including to the house’s broken boiler. Despite repeated warnings from officers from Brent Council’s Private Housing Services team, Khalid […]
read moreCan you transfer a mandatory HMO, additional or selective licence to a new owner?
With the roll out of property licensing schemes, it is much more common for investors to purchase a property that was licensed under a mandatory House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), additional or selective licensing scheme. Knowing that a property has been licensed will provide some reassurance that a licence application […]
read moreWembley ‘rent to rent’ landlords prosecuted for running an unlicensed HMO
A couple from north Wembley have been ordered to pay over £10,000 for failing to ensure the property that they had rented and were subletting was licensed. Daniel and Alima Borzos of Peel Road were ordered to pay a total of £10,334 by Willesden Magistrates Court. The defendants rented the […]
read moreWembley landlord fined £40k for squeezing 24 tenants including 10 young children into cockroach infested HMO licensed for seven
A rogue landlord faces a court bill of almost £40,000 after being caught cramming 24 people into a house in Wembley. Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard Tilak Raj Sarna of George V Avenue in Pinner initially claim innocence but then accept his guilt after two days of cross examination. Brent Council […]
read moreHeavy fine for Cricklewood landlord who ignored tenant’s pleas for repairs
The landlord of a Cricklewood flat is almost £18,000 worse off and has a criminal record after being punished in court for refusing to make vital renovations to his rental property. Paul Fenton, who lives in the affluent Hertfordshire village of Radlett, pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates Court to offences […]
read moreHelping landlords carry out regular safety checks and meet their legal obligations
Conditions for England’s nine million private tenants in rented accommodation are currently worse than in any other housing sector according to Government reports. Around a third of properties fail to meet the Government’s Decent Homes Standard and millions of tenants experience potentially life threatening risks, such as electrical hazards and […]
read moreCouncil raid finds 31 people living in horrendous conditions
A raid on a Wembley house by officers from Brent Council’s housing enforcement team has uncovered appalling conditions including a Slumdog Millionaire-esque shanty town shack made from wood offcuts, pallets and tarpaulins. The raid by Brent Council’s enforcement team, which was featured on BBC London News yesterday (Tuesday 26 July), […]
read moreWembley landlord jailed for illegally evicting tenants
A Wembley landlord who waged a war of intimidation against tenants living in his property has been sentenced to four months imprisonment and ordered to pay costs and compensation of £20,000. Rehan Sheikh of Manor Drive was found guilty at Willesden Magistrates Court of illegally evicting the tenants from his […]
read moreHMO Licensing and Fees, Again!
When a landlord seeks a licence from a local housing authority to use his property as an HMO or because a selective licensing scheme is in operation the local authority is entitled to charge a reasonable fee, set by them, as a pre-condition for processing the licence application. The power […]
read moreEarly morning raid finds 17 men living in 3 bed property in Kingsbury
Rogue landlords got a rude awakening following an early morning raid on an overcrowded property in Kingsbury. The raid, which took place last week, discovered 17 people living in a three-bedroom terraced house. There were cramped conditions throughout and no hot water or heating. Everything was in a state of […]
read moreWill my mortgage lender find out if I apply for a property licence?
If you are renting out your property, you need to ensure that you have permission from your lender or you could find yourself in breach of the terms and conditions of the mortgage, and that is not a good place to be! It is an issue I often get asked […]
read moreBrent early morning raids target rogue landlords
Rogue landlords in North Wembley got a rude awakening following two early morning raids on overcrowded properties. The raids were part of Brent Council’s ramped up enforcement activity to ensure that all landlords with unlicensed properties are held to account. The council is targeting landlords who let out substandard, squalid […]
read moreHMOs and Landlord Notices
I was recently instructed on an interesting case defending a prosecution for a series of HMO offences by a London borough with a substantial licensing scheme. The property was illegally sub-let which meant that the landlord was in breach of his existing licence conditions. The prosecution was defended at trial […]
read moreUnderstanding the role of the Property Ombudsman
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) scheme has been providing landlords, tenants, buyers and sellers a free, fair and impartial alternative dispute resolution service since 1990. More than 27,000 sales and lettings agents are currently registered with TPO which is estimated to represent 95% of sales agents and 85% of letting agents […]
read moreGetWinterReady campaign for landlords helps prevent a potential claim
This winter has already been a trying one for many landlords. The storms sweeping across Britain in December and January have left a lot of damage behind, to homes and businesses in Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Scotland. At the moment, it looks like more storms might be on the way. […]
read moreThe How to Rent guide has been updated from 1 February 2016
The update has been caused by the introduction of the Right to Rent also on 1 February which requires landlord to check the identity and immigration status of all their occupiers. The How to Rent guide has been updated so that tenants are aware that landlords will be asking for […]
read moreEarn more in rent by charging less with RentSquare
An inefficient housing market currently leaves landlords needlessly out of pocket as countless properties are unnecessarily left unoccupied. These void periods result from properties being marketed at prices that tenants either: a) think are too high for the size and location, or b) cannot afford Sitting around waiting for an […]
read moreWhat is the minimum size for a bedroom in a licensed HMO?
If only I could give you a simple answer! The issue of room sizes within licensed HMOs is something that is regularly debated amongst property professionals and causes huge confusion for all concerned. So when it comes to room sizes, how do you know what rules apply in your area? […]
read moreShould mandatory HMO licensing be extended in 2016?
As many people will know, the government’s consultation on widening the mandatory HMO licensing scheme closed on Friday 18 December and a decision is expected early in 2016. As a Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner with significant expertise in housing regulation, I wanted to share an excerpt from my own personal […]
read moreLandlords must make sure that they are aware of licensing
There has been a recent HMO prosecution appeal which makes a key point about publication of property licensing schemes. When making an HMO licensing designation there is a duty under s83 of the Housing Act 2004 on the local authority to ensure that the designation is notified in the local […]
read moreBrent landlord ordered to pay over £200,000 for illegal flats
A previously convicted property owner, Mr Vijay Kara from Hendon, has been ordered to pay over £200,000 by Harrow Crown Court for illegally converting two Brent properties into flats without planning permission and ignoring enforcement notices that were sent to him by Brent Council. The rented properties on Strode Road, […]
read moreNew Regulations on heating provision in HMOs
New regulations on the provision of heat and energy in HMO properties have the potential to affect a great many HMO landlords. A European Union Directive on Energy Efficiency was updated in 2012. One of the key elements of energy efficiency is ensuring that those people who are directly using […]
read moreLondon Property Licensing: the first six months
Six months ago today, we flicked the switch and launched the London Property Licensing website. I remember the moment well. It marked the culmination of months of hard work, research and innovative web-design to develop a new web-based information resource for London landlords and letting agents. But at that time […]
read moreBrent landlord fined for property with no hot water
In the latest in a series of housing prosecutions by Brent Council, a landlord who rented out a property in Kensal Green with no hot water and poor heating, was fined and ordered to pay thousands of pounds by Willesden Magistrates Court on 1 September 2015. The landlord, Mr Bernard […]
read moreBrent Council receives over 5,000 property licence applications
Brent Council has received over 5,000 applications from landlords seeking to have their Brent private rented properties licensed. On 1 January 2015, Brent Council introduced a borough-wide additional licensing scheme that requires all Houses in Multiple Occupation to be licensed. They also introduced a selective licensing scheme that extends licensing […]
read moreProperty Redress in London: how does your Borough shape up?
It is estimated that more than a quarter of households in London are now renting their property. With demand for rental property far outstripping supply, tenants are facing steep competition to secure a place to live in the capital. It has been reported that up to nine tenants are chasing […]
read moreThe government are proposing new measures to crack down on rogue landlords
On 3 August 2015, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) launched a consultation document on a range of new measures to crack down on rogue landlords who rent out unsafe, overcrowded and badly managed properties. The government point out that 4.4 million households now rent privately in England, […]
read moreBrent landlord prosecuted after 16 people found crammed in an unsafe and unlicensed HMO
A landlord who had sixteen tenants living in just one property on Lechmere Road, Willesden has been fined for a second time for not obtaining the correct property licence. The sixteen tenants had the use of just one kitchen, two WC’s and one shower room that they all shared. On […]
read moreSurveyor with over 30 years experience prosecuted for submitting forged tenancy agreements
In the latest in a series of prosecutions by Brent Council, a landlord and his planning agent who tried to deceive the Council and the Planning Inspectorate by submitting forged tenancy agreements were fined thousands of pounds by Willesden Magistrates’ Court this month. Mr Martin Joseph Hetherton, the landlord, and […]
read moreTackling rogue landlords: analysis of private rented housing prosecutions in London
There has been much discussion about the need to take effective action to crack down on rogue landlords who evade the law and place tenants’ lives at risk. In 2013, Shelter launched a campaign to ‘evict rogue landlords‘ and to date, over 100 councils have signed up including more than […]
read moreFirst landlord prosecuted under Brent Council’s additional licensing scheme
A landlord who evaded the need for a licence under Brent Council’s new additional licensing scheme has found himself before the courts. On 14 April 2015, Willesden Magistrates Court found Mr Douglas Gerard-Reynolds guilty of renting out a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without a licence. He failed to attend […]
read moreLandlord fined for urine stench in property
A rogue landlord has been slapped with a £2,000 fine for failing to repair a rental property in Neasden where one of the bedrooms smelt so badly of urine that his tenants couldn’t use it. Mr Gareth Kirwan was convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court on 24 March 2015 for failing […]
read moreBrent landlords fined for house in ‘appalling state of disrepair’
Two private landlords have been ordered to pay a total of £5,260 in fines and costs after failing to make repairs at the Wembley property they let out. Willesden Magistrates’ Court was told that Tarrek and Saira Aslam had left the house at Castleton Gardens, Wembley, in an ‘appalling state […]
read moreBrent father and son guilty of illegal flat conversion
Two men from Brent have been found guilty of illegally converting a property into 5 flats. Mr Khetani and his father Mr Patel from Mortimer Road, NW10 were convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court on 3 March 2015 after carrying out works to a property they own in Neasden without planning […]
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