A landlord has been fined nearly £50,000 for renting out an overcrowded and poorly maintained property in Wembley. Willesden Magistrates Court ordered Sanjay Patel to pay £49,495 for breaches of the Housing Act at a semi-detached house he managed on Vivian Avenue.
The fines and court costs are the largest that Brent Council has secured against an unlicensed landlord of a house of multiple occupation (HMO) this year.
Magistrates heard about the poor conditions at the two-storey home, including faulty doors, mould, blocked hallways, and a general state of disrepair. These conditions were found to be in breach of housing legislation.
The property came to the council’s attention when a tenant reported a rat infestation, a leak, and a broken toilet. Upon inspection, officers discovered eight people, including two children under the age of 13, living in the house, which had facilities for a maximum of five people.
Councillor Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, 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!”
Work to repair the property has started following the council’s intervention.
Since April 2024, borough-wide licensing has been in effect in Brent, requiring all landlords, except those in Wembley Park, to obtain a licence. Those without a licence risk significant fines or prosecution. The council’s enforcement officers are conducting proactive street-by-street surveys to identify unlicensed rental properties.
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