North London landlord fined £9,000 for “dangerous state” of suspected unlicensed HMO

Harrow Council issued an Emergency Prohibition Order after inspection revealed a gas leak, a broken boiler and missing smoke alarms at converted Edgware property.

A North London landlord has been ordered to pay £9,000 after council officers discovered what they described as “dangerous living conditions” in a suspected unlicensed HMO.

Officers from Harrow Council were alerted to the four-bedroom property in Edgware following repeated complaints about rubbish being dumped outside.

During the subsequent inspection, officers found a series of serious safety failings, including a broken boiler, no smoke alarms and a strong smell of gas. An emergency engineer was called to the scene, with the council later confirming that there was a gas leak at the property.

According to the council, the conditions posed an immediate risk to occupants and so it issued an Emergency Prohibition Order, preventing anyone from living there while urgent repair work was carried out. The landlord then failed to provide fire safety and electrical safety certificates, despite being asked to do so on multiple occasions.

According to MyLondon, landlord Kamil Trivedi was found guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court of failing to provide both fire safety and electrical safety certificates. He was fined £5,000, ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,000 in costs.

When our officers issue notices, they must be taken seriously. This case shows the consequences of ignoring warnings.”

Commenting on the case, Pritesh Patel (pictured), Harrow Council’s Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets and Public Safety, said: “When our officers issue notices, they must be taken seriously. This case shows the consequences of ignoring warnings and allowing a property to fall into a dangerous state.”

He added: “No one is above the law. We will continue to put residents first and take tough action against anyone who puts them at risk.”

It is not yet clear if the council intends on prosecuting Trivedi for failure to obtain an HMO licence.

Picture courtesy of Harrow Council.