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Barking Landlord Fined For Overcrowding Buy To Let Property

A Barking landlord has been fined for housing people in an overcrowded buy to let property which led to anti-social behavior.

Barking landlord Nazmul Haq received various complaints about his property which neighbours complained was overcrowded. The council’s enforcement team became aware of the issues and investigated the complaint. They found multiple people residing in the property despite it being licensed to hold just one family.

Haq claimed that the property was not being used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) as he was not licensed for this. He claimed that the people inside his property were builders doing renovation work.

Council enforcement officers then made two visits to the property. They called the police after being refused entry. Following this, the police discovered that Haq was housing many more residents than declared on the licensing agreement.

Haq then failed to attend a police interview. As a result, the council decided to prosecute and revoke his licence.

Haq also did not attend when the case was first brought before Barkingside Magistrates Court on May 25, Haq.

In his absence he was told to pay £12,500 for breaching licensing conditions. He also incurred costs of £1,048 to Barking and Dagenham Council, as well as a £170 victim surcharge.

The council’s cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, Councillor Margaret Mullane, said: ‘This should serve as a strong warning to landlords in the borough that we will not tolerate anyone breaking the rules and we will take the strongest possible action. In this case the landlord clearly felt he would be able to bypass the system, but our enforcement team were firmly on the case and ensured he was brought to justice. I would urge any resident who feel properties could be overcrowded or are causing anti-social behaviour to get in touch with the council and make us aware.’

Source: Residential Landlord