Five-figure fine for breaching conditions of London lettings licence

A London landlord has been ordered to pay over £13,000 for breaching the conditions of his licence as a result of overcrowding and anti-social behaviour.

Nazmul Haq, who owned a property in Barking, failed to declare it to Barking and Dagenham council as a house in multiple occupation and claimed there was only one family living there.

When council enforcement officers visited the property, they quickly discovered this was not the case and there were 12 people living in five bedrooms over three floors.

The team first became aware of an issue back in May 2017 following complaints from neighbours regarding overcrowding and anti-social behaviour from the property.

After investigating the complaint, the officers discovered that the landlord had applied for a selective licence for just one family to live there.

An overcrowding and anti-social behaviour letter was sent to the landlord to address the issues, but the landlord stated that the property was not being used as a HMO and that the people in the property were builders renovating the house.

Officers subsequently made two unannounced visits to the property. After being refused entry, the police were then called in and it was discovered the property was occupied by more people than the landlord declared on the licence agreement.

After Haq failed to attend a Police and Criminal Evidence interview, the council says it was left with no choice but to prosecute and revoke his licence.

The case was heard at Barkingside Magistrates Court. 

Haq did not attend but in his absence was fined £12,500 for breach of licence conditions under the Housing Act 2004.

He was also ordered to pay £1048.25 in costs to Barking and Dagenham council and a £170 victim surcharge.