Hefty bill for landlords who ignored council Prohibition Orders

Two landlords have to pay almost £8,000 for letting their flats in defiance of a Prohibition Order. 

The order came into force in September 2015 prohibiting some East London premises from being used for residential purposes. This came after an inspection by a Tower Hamlets council environmental health officer found the properties did not comply with provisions of the Housing Act 2004.

In January 2017 the council’s council tax division contacted the trading standards and environmental health teams with information that the premises were being occupied and let after all.

The prompted an enforcement notice to be issued relating to breaches of planning regulations at the property. One of the breaches related to the conversion of the upper floors from one large multi-occupied flat to six self-contained studios. 

Despite these works being undertaken, at least three of the hazards listed in the original 2015 Prohibition Order had not been addressed.

Mohammed Abdul Miah of east London was fined £2,500 relating to a breach of regulation 5(2) (firefighting equipment and alarms) as well as costs of £1,912 and a victim surcharge of £190, totalling £4,802.

Gambir Singh, also of East London, was fined £1,000 on a charge relating to the breach of the prohibition notice and will have to pay costs of £1,912 and a victim surcharge of £190, totalling £3,012.

Charges against a third dependent were withdrawn as a result of a mental health report from a doctor.

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