A landlord has been fined £75,000 plus costs for illegally letting two flats in North Finchley, bookings on Airbnb and Booking.com.
George Nathanel, who managed the flats on behalf of Zenobia properties, was issued a notice by Barnet council in November 2023 to cease use of the properties, following complaints by neighbours.
The two flats were granted planning permission by the council in January 2016 to be used as a ‘self-contained, single household’, but the council enforcement team found both flats advertised on Airbnb and Booking.com for short-term rentals.
The properties were being booked via the sites for short-term stays by large groups who often used the flats for parties.
Neighbours complained as there was no sound proofing to the party wall, and unsociable hours with loud noise into the early hours.
Victim statements were shared in court, including a neighbour who described the short-term rentals as “stressful and devastating”, saying they had a “detrimental impact on his life, his work and mental health” and “had severely impacted his ability to sleep and has made living in the property unbearable.”
Evidence provided by the prosecution showed at least 220 days of occupancy across the two flats in the first 10 months of 2024.
Nathanel failed to appear at court hearings, claiming he was living in Russia with his children and was awaiting an operation.
Nathanel sought in correspondence to blame what he called ‘long-term tenants.’ He claimed to be unaware of any rentals via Airbnb and Booking.com – although he was described in Airbnb reviews as “an amazing, attentive and responsive host.”
Evidence of website listings to rent the property were shown in court, and booking ads remain live on the websites today.
At Willesden Magistrates’ Court he was found guilty of failing to comply with the requirements of a Breach of Condition Notice issued by the council, and ordered to pay a fine of £75,000 and council costs of £5,400. A victim surcharge of £2,000 was also levied.
A council spokesperson says: “We gave Mr Nathanel ample opportunity to stop using the properties as short term rentals, but were left with no alternative but to take him to court when he didn’t stop.
“Barnet council clamps down hard on rogue landlords and where they don’t cooperate, we will always bring them to justice.
“We would like to thank the residents who brought this case to our attention. This is a great result for the neighbours whose lives were made a misery by the illegal letting of these flats on Airbnb and Booking.com.
“The prosecution and huge fine highlights the seriousness of the case and will be a strong deterrent to other rogue landlords from breaking the rules in the borough of Barnet.”
