Rogue landlord couple prosecuted for unlicensed property

A rogue landlord couple from north Wembley have been fined heavily for failing to make sure that the property that they had rented and subsequently sublet was licenced.

Daniel and Alima Borzos were told to pay a total of £10,334 by Willesden Magistrates Court.

Letting

The Borzos’ rented the four-bedroom property from a letting agency, after telling staff that they would live in the property with a small child. Subsequently, they sublet the property to another group of other tenants.

Brent enforcement officers raided the property in April. Upon arrival, they discovered a total of 16 mattresses within the home. It is believed that there were more than 20 people in residence .

Willesden Magistrates Court found the couple guilty of failing to provide evidence of their evidency. Mrs Borzos was fined £7,000 and Mr Borzos £2,000. In addition, each defendant was told to pay costs of £497 and a victim surcharge of £170. Both how now left the property.

Rogue landlord couple prosecuted for unlicensed property

Improving standards

The double prosecution means that a total of 35 rogue landlords have been convicted since January 2016. The prosecutions have come about as a result of a licensing scheme aimed at improving standards in the private rental sector in Brent.

Councillor Harbi Farah, Brent’s Cabinet Member for Housing, noted, ‘this case once again demonstrates the importance of Brent’s private sector licensing scheme. While there are many good landlords in Brent who have licensed their properties, there’s still a minority who haven’t, who are operating illegally and exploiting people for profit. We will always push for the strongest penalties against unlicensed properties in Brent, so we’re pleased to see rogue landlords like the Borzos’ receive a substantial punishment.’[1]

[1] http://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/landlords/unlicensed-landlords-hit-with-heavy-fines.html