Dodgy landlord fined

Tuesday June 6, 2010

A dodgy Fulham landlord who rented out his squalid property without holding a licence will have to pay the council over £37,000.

Rizwan Ahmed rented out nine bed-sitting rooms at 796 Fulham Road. When officers inspected they found occupant’s possessions splattered in plaster, a bathroom without heating and hot water, dangerous electrics and no floor coverings. Ahmed claimed that one particular room was unoccupied but the inspection revealed that there was fresh food in the fridge, clothing and other personal items in it.

Because it had three storeys and was occupied by five or more tenants, Rizwan Ahmed's property was a licensable House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) - but Ahmed did not hold a licence.

The council banned Ahmed from renting out the property – Ahmed challenged the decision but that challenge was dismissed.

And now, a Residential Property Tribunal has ordered that Ahmed must pay the council £37,407.47 – which amounts to 12 months of housing benefit payments made by the council.

A council spokesman said: “Ahmed’s tenants live in putrid conditions and I am thrilled that the Residential Property Tribunal has told him to repay this £37,000. This should be a warning to all landlords to make sure that their properties are up to a decent standard and that they have the correct paper work.”

Operating a licensable HMO without a licence carries a maximum fine of £20,000 and the possibility of losing a year's rent.

For more details on licensing properties in multiple occupancy visit http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Housing/Multiple_occupancy_homes/homepage.asp.