Amartjit Singh Gulshan was convicted of 11 offences before Ealing Magistrates Court on the 8th April, after a council investigation was first launched in June 2012. An order was served then to the landlord to repair and clean up the property, after it was found to be substandard and dirty.
Returning officers found that Gulshan had failed to comply with the demands, and had also let out two more rooms, leaving the property overcrowded. Damaged fire doors were found, along with a broken smoke alarm and smashed windows. Various walls and ceilings were covered in black mould, and the property showed evidence of mice and cockroaches.
Gulshan was ordered to pay £6,750 in fines, along with £3,353 to cover council costs. A £120 victim surcharge brought the total fines up to £10,223.48, and the council are also revoking his licence to rent HMOs.
Cabinet member for housing, skills and employment, Councillor Hitesh Tailor, said:
‘This landlord showed a total disregard for the wellbeing and safety of his tenants. We will not tolerate this type of behaviour and will take tough action against landlords who leave their tenants living in unsafe and filthy accommodation. My message to criminal landlords is simple – we will come after you. Our new private sector strategy has signalled our intent to get tough on rogue landlords and improve conditions for residents.’
