An unscrupulous landlord named in a case concerning a rat-infested unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Wembley, north London, has been fined almost £50,000.

Willesden Magistrates Court ordered Sanjay Patel to pay £49,495 for breaches to the Housing Act at a semi-detached house that he managed in Vivian Avenue, HA9.

The nearly £50,000 grand total is the largest set of fines and court costs that Brent has brought against an unlicensed landlord of a HMO this year.

Magistrates heard how faulty doors, mould, blocked hallways and a general state of disrepair at the two-storey home showed Mr Patel was failing his tenants by breaching housing legislation.

Brent officers raided the property after a tenant reported a rat infestation, a leak and a broken toilet. They found eight people, including two children under the age of 13, crammed into the house with facilities only fit for a maximum of five people.

Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, said: “This case shows how seriously we pursue landlords who try to exploit tenants in Brent. We won’t let rogue landlords deny renters their right to live in safe, decent and secure homes.

“Every rental property in Brent needs a licence to comply with the law. Landlords still operating without a licence in Brent should apply online today in order to avoid a knock on the door by our enforcement offers. Don’t get caught out, get licensed!”

Work to repair the property is now underway following the council’s intervention.

Time is running out for landlords letting out properties in Brent to get licensed. Borough-wide licensing in Brent has been the law since April 2024. All landlords renting out properties in Brent, except Wembley Park, need a license. Landlords who don’t have a licence face hefty fines or prosecution.

According to the council, proactive street by street surveys are underway six months after the start of borough-wide licensing in Brent. Officers are actively looking for unlicenced privately rented homes. Landlords found illegally renting out their properties without a licence are likely to get a hefty fine and a possible criminal conviction.