Council clamps down on rogue landlords

Brentford landlord, Zafar Shah of Great West Road, Hounslow, has been fined for failure to comply with an order from Hounslow Council.

The council enforced the prosecution in order to support it's objective of ensuring that landlords are fit and proper providing decent and safe property to the private rented sector. Failure to admit property ownership of a shared house led to Brentford Magistrates Court fining Mr Shah £150 plus prosecution costs of £150.

Mr Shah was sent a notice was on 5 July, 2007 which requested he confirm ownership of the property. The prosecution demonstrates the councils commitment to improvements in it's objective plans for Private Sector Housing Strategy 2006-10.

Cr Mark Bowen, deputy leader of Hounslow Council and lead for strategic housing, explains: “We are determined to ensure anyone renting accommodation in this borough can be assured their landlord is fit and proper, and providing a decent standard of accommodation to them.

“With the vast majority of landlords operating in this borough we have good relationships and they cooperate with us. But when a landlord blatantly refuses to work with us, we will come down hard, and if necessary, prosecute. This prosecution will send out a clear message. Work with us, or face the consequences, including prosecution.”