Lives put at risk

‘Unscrupulous’ landlord handed fine

A LANDLORD put ‘lives at risk’ by cramming too many tenants into one house, according to Hillingdon Council.

Javeed Hossain of Rydal Crescent, Perivale, was handed an £11,000 fine for the overcrowding and failing to install fire safety measures in the property at 26 New Road, Harlington.

An investigation by Hillingdon Council found 10 people crammed into the three-bed house, including a pregnant woman and her partner who were living in a roof space deemed too small for habitation.

Cllr Keith Burrows, cabinet member for planning, transportation and recycling at Hillingdon Council, said: “This unscrupulous landlord put his tenants’ lives at risk by neglecting to ensure that an adequate fire safety system was in place at his property and the consequences could have been fatal if a fire had broken out.

“He also put his greed before their welfare by cramming too many people into the house and pocketing the rent. I am pleased that the courts have imposed such a heavy fine on Mr Hossain, reflecting the seriousness of his offences.”

Following the investigation by the council, Hossain had to obtain an HMO licence (house of multiple occupancy) limiting the maximum number of people at the property to six and install a fire warning and protection system.

A later visit by council officers found that not only had the landlord breached the HMO by permitting 10 tenants to occupy the property, but he had failed to install the required fire alarm system.

There were inadequate fire doors, a lack of smoke and heat detectors and no emergency illuminated exit signs on the stairs.

Hossain was found guilty for failing to comply with the Housing Act HMO licence and install the required full fire protection system at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 19 May.

He was fined £11,000 and told to pay a victim surcharge of £120 and the council’s £884 costs.