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First ever ‘ASBO Injunction’ served on landlord to stop illegal eviction

Camden council in north London has become the first local authority to secure an anti-social behaviour injunction against a landlord in order to protect private tenants from illegal eviction and harassment.

The council secured the injunction against landlord Mohammed Ali Abbas Rasool, aged 29.

Working in partnership with the Met Police, Camden brought the case against Rasool after repeated attempts to illegally evict and harass tenants at a property he owns in Kilburn.

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As a result of a disclosure request made by the council to the police, the court also heard of similar reports made against Rasool by tenants in other boroughs.

The hearing - held last month but only disclosed now - proceeded without Rasool, who did not attend court, with the judge granting the injunction in his absence.

The injunction includes an exclusion zone around the property, which will remain in force until May 14 2022; Rasool can be arrested if he enters the exclusion zone.

The council’s Rogue Landlord Taskforce is continuing to support the residents of the Kilburn property by ensuring that the order is upheld, assisting with access to their own legal advice and instructing the leaseholder to make fire safety improvements to the property.

The council’s Private Sector Housing Service is also investigating the safety and management of other properties operated by Rasool in Camden.

Camden councillor Meric Apak says: “Around a third of Camden residents rent from private landlords and they deserve to live in properly regulated, safe homes and to be treated fairly. The pandemic has further highlighted the importance of the right to a home that is safe and secure. Most landlords are decent law-abiding people however, for too long a minority have been able to let housing that is unsuitable while exploiting their tenants and woefully disregarding their wellbeing and safety.

“Our HMO licensing scheme and Rogue Landlord Taskforce are continuing to improve the standards in Camden’s private housing sector, empowering renters to take action and helping good landlords to run successful businesses.

 

“The legal action taken in this case was a necessary last resort. Our message to landlords and letting agents is that we are here to work with you; to provide advice and assistance first of all and to ensure you can meet your obligations.”

 

Camden neighbourhood policing chief inspector Richard Berns adds: “We continue to take enforcement action against a very small minority of rogue landlords abusing their position of trust.

“Our Integrated Anti-Social Behaviour Team do a fantastic job, not only ensuring vulnerable people are safeguarded but also guaranteeing those intent on taking advantage of others are sought out and brought to justice.”

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    At face value it looks like guilty as charged but don’t know the case, why didn’t he turn up in Court. Camden Council and others have a long way to go if as they say they want us to believe they want us to run a successful business flying in the face of facts. Rogue LL task force do they have Rogue Tenant task force?. Many L’don Boroughs are in the process of bringing in Borough wide licensing Schemes, current Virtual (pretend) Consultations about to end in 2 weeks going on since May but LL’s won’t know this it’s virtual but the consequences are real as is the increased licensing fee to £1410.00 in Harrow, immune to Corona.

  • Bill Wood

    If Rasool has good reason to evict the tenants, then he can still do so via the correct legal channels. There are professionals available to help e.g. Landlord Action, so he can do this without violating the injunction.

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    Another one sided tale. Probably a non paying destructive tenant that can break every rule in the book and rely on the law to stand in there corner. British justice. One sided and extremely expensive.

  • Matthew Fine

    Don't be so quick to judge, this guy is the king rouge amongst let2let companies in the Paddington & Marylebone area and was exposed by the BBC many years ago. Another atricle by Landlord today some time ago in regards to him:
    Rent-to-rent-company-fined-%C2%A325-000

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    Ok Matthew I’ll take it on the chin but I wasn’t judging and did say I didn’t know the case. It does seem unusual to me about cases many years ago when he is only 29 years old, well possibly I suppose.

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    most likely because friends or relatives transferred the company to him or started up a new one with him as the director. as you have properties in london surely you know about the short let scam which target immigrant students etc..

     
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    John you could well be right there, a director is an employee of a company it does not necessary follow that he owns it, likely just a front man for others in the back ground that's how these people work, not to be trusted in business

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