Wembley property managers fined £100,000 for safety breaches

Two individuals managing a property in Wembley have been fined a combined £100,000 for serious safety violations that endangered the lives of 21 residents, including a young child. The property at 50 Bassingham Road was found to be dangerously overcrowded, with tenants raising concerns that led to an investigation by Brent Council.

Unsafe Living Conditions Discovered

During their inspection, council officers uncovered a range of critical safety issues. These included breaches of fire safety regulations, non-functional stoves, and missing doors, creating a hazardous environment for the occupants. The property's licence holder, Valand, was found to have knowingly permitted twice the number of people allowed under the licence to reside there. These failures were classified as Category 1 harm, the most severe category.

Court Convictions and Fines

At court, Valand was convicted of seven offences and received a fine of £40,000, along with a £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs. Vispap Sarkari, who managed the property and handled rent collection, was also convicted. Investigations linked Sarkari to multiple aliases and associates, and evidence of illegal activity was presented. The court heard that Sarkari neglected basic safety and maintenance standards, including issues with fire alarms, escape routes, a damaged porch door, and cracked bathroom fixtures.

Considered a repeat offender, Sarkari was fined £50,000, with an additional £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs. He is now eligible for a banning order.

Council's Warning to Landlords

Councillor Robert Johnson, Brent Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Renters, issued a strong warning to other landlords and property managers. He stated, "These convictions should serve as a warning to any landlord or property manager in Brent who chooses to ignore their responsibilities and put profit before people. Residents deserve safe, secure housing and are encouraged to report poor conditions or unlawful practices so we can protect tenants and hold landlords to account."

Councillor Johnson added that property licencing is a key tool for the council to improve housing standards and tackle rogue landlords. Following the council's intervention, the property owner has made significant improvements and continues to work with Brent Council to ensure the property complies with its HMO licence requirements.

What Happens Next

The property owner is continuing to work with Brent Council to ensure the property meets its HMO licence conditions. Vispap Sarkari is eligible for a banning order, which would prevent him from managing properties in the future.