More than £100,000 in fines and costs have been handed to two men after 21 people, including three children and a 10-month-old baby, were found living in a severely overcrowded Wembley property.
Council officers investigated the house at 50 Bassingham Road after concerns were raised by tenants and found more than twice the number of people allowed under the property’s licence were living there.
Cockroaches and fire safety concerns
Officers uncovered a number of serious problems at the property, including a cockroach infestation, fire safety breaches and inadequate kitchen facilities.
Broken stoves and missing doors were also found inside the home.
The court ruled that the conditions amounted to Category 1 harm, the highest level of housing hazard, because of the risks faced by those living there, particularly in relation to fire safety.
Meet Valand, the property manager and licence holder, was convicted of seven offences.
He was fined £40,000, ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs.
Second man fined £50,000
Vispap Sarkari, who managed the property and collected rent, was also convicted following the council’s investigation.
The court heard that Mr Sarkari had failed to meet basic safety and maintenance standards at the property, including issues with fire alarms, fire safety equipment and escape routes.
There were also problems with a damaged porch door and cracked bathroom fixtures.
The investigation also uncovered multiple aliases and associates linked to Mr Sarkari, including Sanjay Patel, who was recently given a five-year banning order.
Mr Sarkari was treated as a repeat offender because of previous housing offences and was fined £50,000.
He was also ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs.
Following his conviction for housing offences in March 2026 and the latest findings, he is now eligible for a banning order.
Council issues warning to landlords
Councillor Robert Johnson said: “These convictions should serve as a warning to any landlord or property manager in Brent who chooses to ignore their responsibilities and put profit before people. Residents deserve safe, secure housing and are encouraged to report poor conditions or unlawful practices so we can protect tenants and hold landlords to account. Property licencing is a key tool in helping the council raise housing standards, improve living conditions and tackle rogue landlords”
Following the council’s intervention, the owner of the property has made significant improvements.
The owner is continuing to work with Brent Council to make sure the property meets the conditions of its HMO licence.
Landlords renting out properties in Brent generally need a property licence, with an exemption for single-household properties in Wembley Park.
The council says it is increasing enforcement activity and landlords who fail to obtain the correct licence could face fines or prosecution.
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