Slum landlord in Newham slammed with record £27,400 fine

A record fine of £27,400 was handed to a landlord after tenants, including children, were discovered living in slum.

by Else Kvist, Reporter Tuesday, October 30, 2012
5:00 PM

A landlord has been slammed with a record fine of £27,400 after tenants, including children, were discovered living in slum.

It is the largest fine handed out to a landlord in Newham and believed to be one of the biggest in London.

Ashfaq Mohiuddin, aged 45, of Ridgeway Gardens, Ilford, was found guilty of 16 charges relating to a mid-terrace block with four flats over a restaurant, on High Street North, East Ham.

Thames Magistrates’ Court heard on October 10 that Newham Council housing inspectors found a number of occupiers, including two children, living in the unlicensed property, infested with mice and cockroaches.

Mr Mohiuddin was found guilty of failing to license and manage a house in multiple occupation. Other charges included not ensuring fire regulations were in place and that appliances were fitted properly, and preventing dampness.

Mohuiddin was also ordered to pay Newham Council’s costs of £3,515 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “We want to ensure private sector rented properties are well managed and meet a good standard. We also want to deal with the crime and anti-social behaviour that is sometimes associated with bad private sector rented housing.

“We will never accept private sector tenants being directly exploited by landlords, who force them to live in dangerous and unacceptable conditions.

“Good landlords have nothing to fear. For the bad ones, we have a clear message: clean up your act or pay the price.”