Eight people charged £3,500 to live in rat-infested ‘house of horrors’

A landlord charged eight people, including children, rent of £3,500 to live in a five-person ‘house of horrors’ infested with rats, mould and a broken toilet.

They were found ‘crammed into’ the semi-detached house on Vivian Avenue, Wembley, after a tenant reported a leak along with the rodents and toilet to Brent Council.

Landlord Sanjay Patel wasn’t just falling foul of housing legislation through faulty doors, mould, blocked hallways and general disrepair, a magistrates court heard.

He didn’t even have a licence to rent a house of multiple occupation (HMO).

The council’s website states that a HMO licence is mandatory if it contains five or more people in two or more households, with shared kitchen bathroom or toilet.

If they don’t, they face unlimited fines, a criminal record and a ban from renting out properties.

Mr Patel was fined £49,495 by Willesden Magistrates Court for breaches to the Housing Act.

It’s the largest set of fines and court costs faced by a HMO landlord in Brent this year.

Council leader councillor Muhammed Butt 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.’

The property is currently undergoing repairs, the council said.

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