A London council has prosecuted landlord Syed Shah, owner of an HMO, for a string of  breaches that posed significant risks to the health and safety of tenants.

He was ordered to pay a total of £26,535.41 for his offences.

The case arose from concerns raised by two tenants who contacted Watford council last summer. 

They reported ongoing building works at the property, including the removal of bedroom walls, and the unsafe storage of tools and building materials in escape routes.

Council officers found multiple breaches that put the safety of the tenants at risk, particularly in the event of a fire. These included compromised fire detection systems and escape routes, non-functioning fire doors, blocked escape routes, and missing smoke detectors and fire blankets.

The council prohibited the use of two bedrooms on the top floor for sleeping until they were made safe. Additionally, the landlord was required to undertake emergency works to install guarding on the first-floor landing and in the kitchen to ensure tenant safety in the event of a fire.

It was also discovered that Shah had added a third storey to the property without the appropriate licensing. This expansion resulted in nine tenants residing in a three-storey property, exceeding the occupancy permitted by the existing HMO licence.

Shah appeared before St Albans Magistrates Court, where he pleaded guilty to all 13 offences. 

He was sentenced to pay a fine of £12,000, with additional court surcharges and legal costs, bringing the total amount to £26,535.41. The court ordered Shah to make monthly payments of £500 towards the penalty.