A North London landlord has been ordered to pay over £9,000 after council inspectors discovered his rental property was filled with serious fire and safety risks.
Dangerous Conditions Uncovered
Officers from Harrow Council visited the four-bedroom house in Edgware, which had been converted into a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), following repeated complaints about rubbish dumping. What they found inside was described as "dangerous living conditions".
The inspection revealed a catalogue of failures: a broken boiler, a complete absence of working smoke alarms, and a strong smell of gas that was later confirmed to be a leak. An emergency engineer had to be called to the scene immediately.
Landlord Ignored Council Warnings
The council issued an Emergency Prohibition Order, banning anyone from living in the property while urgent repairs were made. They also requested the mandatory fire and electrical safety certificates from the landlord, Kamil Trivedi.
According to the council, Mr Trivedi ignored multiple requests to provide these vital documents, which are required by law to prove a property is safe for tenants. The authority also suspected the HMO was being operated without the necessary licence, which can cost landlords in the borough up to £1,818 annually.
Court Prosecution and Financial Penalty
Harrow Council pursued a prosecution, which culminated in a hearing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on 11 December 2025. Mr Trivedi was found guilty of two criminal offences:
- Failing to provide a fire safety certificate.
- Failing to provide an electrical safety certificate.
The court imposed significant financial penalties:
- A fine of £5,000.
- A victim surcharge of £2,000.
- Council costs of £2,000.
This brought the total he was forced to pay to £9,000.
Councillor Pritesh Patel, Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets and Public Safety, said: "Our officers work tirelessly to protect tenants and ensure landlords know their responsibilities... This case shows the consequences of ignoring warnings and allowing a property to fall into a dangerous state. No one is above the law."
The case serves as a stark warning to landlords across the capital about the severe repercussions of neglecting their legal duties and tenant safety.
