A Barnet landlord who housed five tenants in a dangerous property with an “overbearing smell” has been forced to pay £24,000.
Barnet Council fined Rakesh Shah after inspectors discovered issues including damaged doors and an insecure front door at the house.
Officers reported an “overbearing smell” and a first-floor landing blocked by so many items that a tenant had to climb over them to enter and leave his room.
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The conditions were so dangerous that the council served an emergency prohibition order requiring the five tenants to immediately leave the property in Anson Road, Cricklewood, for their safety.
Cllr Ross Houston, who is responsible for housing, said: “We will not tolerate landlords who flout the rules in Barnet.
“The safety of our residents is paramount.
“It is the responsibility of landlords to keep their properties safe, though our private sector housing team will help them wherever possible."
Shah was found guilty of four offences at Willesden Magistrates' Court on August 16 after police reports of drugs at his property.
The landlord will also have to attend training and obtain accreditation through the London landlord accreditation scheme as a condition of securing his House of Multiple Ocupancy licence from Barnet Council.
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