A Harlington HMO landlord has been fined £11,000 after putting his tenants’ lives at risk.

London Borough of Hillingdon Council found Javeed Hossain crammed too many tenants into his rental property and failed to install correct fire safety measures.

Hossain, of Perivale, owns a three-story property in New Road, Harlington.

Following a council investigation into overcrowding, and a lack of fire precautions, Hossain had to obtain an HMO licence limiting the maximum number of people at the property to six, and install a fire warning and protection system.

But a later visit by council officers found that not only had Hossain breached the HMO licence by allowing 10 tenants to occupy the property, he also failed to install the required fire alarm system.

According to the report, there were inadequate fire doors, a lack of smoke and heat detectors and no emergency illuminated exit signs on the stairs. Hossain had also allowed a pregnant woman and her partner to live in an attic room that was unfit for habitation due to its restricted size.

At a hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates Court Hossain was found guilty for failing to comply with the Housing Act HMO licence. A total fine of £11,000 plus a victim surcharge of £120 was imposed and the council was awarded full costs of £884.

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, 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.”