Barking: Landlord fined over safety failings at HMO

Water leaks, broken windows and doors, a lack of fire protection, exposed electrical wiring, and rat and cockroach infestations were some of the problems uncovered, according to the authority.

The semi-detached house in Netherfield Gardens, Barking, was visited by council officers in June 2022.

The council officers said the property had exposed electrical wiring, as well as infestations of rats and cockroaches (Image: Barking and Dagenham Council)

The authority said property owner Kalpesh Kapasiwala, of Lee Grove, Chigwell, had divided the house into seven individual rooms - known as a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

READ MORE: 'Maggot-infested' food discovered in waste outside Ilford restaurant

Council officers found several fire safety issues, such as no fire doors, no working smoke alarms and no carbon monoxide alarm.

According to the council, missing tiles and a roof in disrepair had allowed water to seep into the home.

The boiler was plugged into an extension cable and kitchen cupboards and units were missing handles and doors, a spokesperson said.

The council said the failings they found in the house included several 'serious' fire safety issues (Image: Barking and Dagenham Council)

A lack of adequate facilities for the seven people registered to live there was also noted - only one sink, one hob, one cooker, and one fridge.

The council said it wrote to Kapasiwala numerous times, giving him the opportunity to correct the issues that had been identified.

He did not adhere to the requests and a hearing was held at Barkingside Magistrates Court on February 21.

Kapasiwala did not attend the hearing and it was proven in his absence he had failed to comply with the requirements of a notice issued by the council. He was fined £6,000 with £335 costs and a £2,000 victim surcharge.

Seven people were registered to live at the property (Image: Barking and Dagenham Council)

Councillor Syed Ghani, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: "This is a perfect example of a landlord thinking he is above the law, but learning the expensive lesson that he isn’t.

"We will not tolerate landlords who think they can put profits before people.

"This really was a house of horrors for the people who were paying to live there, with countless safety issues being highlighted by our officers.

"We will continue to do everything we can to make sure the small minority of dodgy landlords don’t risk our residents’ lives."