B B C News Man fined for housing 18 people in three-bed home.
A landlord has been ordered by a court to pay £37,000 after 18 people were discovered living in a terraced house in North London.
Charles Egbiremolen, 57, was operating eight unlicensed bedsits in a converted three-bedroom terraced house on Fairmead Crescent in Edgware.
Egbiremolen was found guilty of nine offences at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on November 25 and sentenced on February 5.
A Barnet Council spokesperson stated that they would “not tolerate landlords who flout the rules”.
Barnet Council
Inspectors stated that there were no safe escape routes from the property in the event of a fire.
The council was called to the property after neighbours complained about noise, antisocial behaviour, and overcrowding.
Council inspectors and police officers entered the property with a warrant and discovered severe overcrowding, with one room shared by six people, including babies.
According to the council, two tenants occupied another room measuring 83.9 square feet (7.8 square meters).
Inspectors reported that the back garden was littered with building waste, mattresses and other debris, with a kitchen located in a separate structure.
They also stated that the property was in disrepair, did not meet safety standards, had an inadequate fire alarm system, and lacked a safe means of escape in the event of fire.
Egbiremolen was found guilty of a number of charges, including failing to license the property, management and safety violations, and failure to provide statutory information to the council.
He was fined £15,000, plus a £2,000 victim surcharge and a £20,000 contribution towards the council’s costs.
“Every landlord is responsible for ensuring that their properties comply with the law and that their tenants are safe,” a council spokesperson stated.
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