A landlord in North London has been fined £49,500 after a court heard that he rented out a five-bedroom two-storey unlicenced house in very poor condition to eight people including two children.

Hendon-based Sanjay Patel operated the rental property on Vivian Avenue in Wembley (pictured) and was caught out when one of the tenants reported him to the local council’s housing department within the London Borough of Brent.

The council reports that its officers subsequently raided the property and found it over-crowded and suffering from a rat infestation, had faulty doors, a broken toilet, blocked hallways and was in a generally poor state of repair including a water leak.

House of horrors

And during a court hearing at Willesden Magistrates Court, the property was described as a ‘house of horrors’.

Brent operates borough-wide licencing schemes covering properties for single people, two people or a single household via its selective scheme as well as both mandatory and additional licencing for HMOs.

Councillor Muhammed Butt, (pictured) Leader of Brent Council, said: “This case shows how seriously we pursue landlords who try to exploit tenants in Brent. We won’t let rogue landlords deny renters their right to live in safe, decent and secure homes.

“Every rental property in Brent needs a licence to comply with the law. Landlords still operating without a licence in Brent should apply online today in order to avoid a knock on the door by our enforcement offers. Don’t get caught out, get licensed.”