A landlord in Brent has been ordered to pay more than £90,000 following prosecution for operating an overcrowded house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Wembley.
Sanjay Patel’s three-storey property on Wyld Way housed at least 18 tenants, significantly exceeding the licence limit of seven occupants across six bedrooms and one self-contained unit, according to Brent Council.
Investigation and findings
The investigation was initiated after the Metropolitan Police raised concerns about the property’s conditions. Housing officers conducting inspections found tenants living in cramped conditions, with locked windows and non-functioning fire alarms.
Officers also discovered a couple with a four-month-old baby residing in an undeclared outbuilding that lacked heating and electricity.
Court outcome
Patel, who had previously ignored several improvement notices, was prosecuted at Willesden Magistrates’ Court and fined £87,000. The court additionally ordered him to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,788 in prosecution costs, bringing the total penalty to £91,788.
Cllr Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, Cabinet Member for Housing at Brent Council, told My London: “These tenants were subjected to appalling living conditions, but this successful prosecution shows our firm stance against landlords who put profit above safety.”
She added: “It sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate landlords exploiting tenants and providing unsafe living conditions.”
Further action
Patel faces a hearing at the Residential Property Tribunal on 30 April, where he could be banned from operating rental properties.
The case highlights the enforcement measures available to local authorities in addressing non-compliant HMO operations and the financial penalties landlords face for breaching licensing conditions.
