Posts with tag: rogue landlords

Bogus Landlord Conned £1,600 Out of Tenant in Airbnb Scam

Published On: January 30, 2017 at 11:06 am

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A bogus landlord has conned a prospective tenant out of £1,600 by pretending an Airbnb property was hit to let.

Bogus Landlord Conned £1,600 Out of Tenant in Airbnb Scam

Bogus Landlord Conned £1,600 Out of Tenant in Airbnb Scam

Detectives have released an image of the suspect in a bid to track him down.

The main suspect is believed to have posted an advertisement on Gumtree in September for a property in Haringey, north London.

A victim responded to the advert and was shown around the property by the bogus landlord.

The victim then transferred an advance rental payment of £1,600 to secure the property to a bank account, details of which were provided by the bogus landlord.

However, after he transferred all of the funds, all contact with the bogus landlord ceased, as he stopped replying to calls or texts.

It became apparent that access to the property had been obtained via a short-term let on Airbnb, and the bogus landlord had no authority to arrange for it to be rented out.

The tenant’s £1,600 rental payment was lost, having been paid to a mule account – controlled as a result of a stolen bank card – from which it had been withdrawn.

An investigation was then launched by detectives from the Metropolitan Police’s Operation Falcon (Fraud and Linked Crime Online).

The police said: “Enquiries are ongoing to identify the person or persons who arranged or benefitted from this fraud. Officers are releasing an image of the man who showed the victim around the property at the initial viewing. This picture was taken at the property on 18th September 2016.

“Anyone who recognises the man pictured, or has information that may assist the investigation, should call Op Falcon on 101 or contact the Met via Twitter @MetCC. To give information anonymously, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit the crimestoppers-uk.org website.”

Are you aware of a bogus landlord operating in north London?

Landlord and Letting Agent Hit with £26,000 Fines for HMO Breaches

Published On: January 30, 2017 at 10:11 am

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A landlord and their letting agent have been hit with fines over £26,000 after being found guilty of HMO breaches on two properties in Luton, following a multi-agency operation.

Landlord and Letting Agent Hit with £26,000 Fines for HMO Breaches

Landlord and Letting Agent Hit with £26,000 Fines for HMO Breaches

Adrian Simion, 30, and his letting agent, Altavon Property Management, were found guilty at Luton Magistrates’ Court of a series of management regulation breaches relating to the safety and organisation of illegal Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

Neither Simion nor the letting agent attended the hearing, but were convicted of the HMO breaches in their absence.

Magistrates imposed fines totalling almost £7,000 on Simion for two offences of failing to licence a HMO and nine separate management regulation breaches. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and a £110 victim surcharge.

Alvaton Property Management was fined £10,000 for the HMO breaches, £2,500 for each of four management breaches, along with £500 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

Luton Borough Council, which brought the prosecutions, reported the occupants found at the address, and was supported by the Romanian Embassy, Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Citizens Advice Luton and various charities.

Councillor Tom Shaw, the Portfolio Holder for Housing at Luton Borough Council, says: “We hope that this prosecution sends a very strong message that we will act on information we receive, especially if we suspect that people are being exploited.

“Our rogue landlord project, in partnership with the police, fire and rescue service, and other organisations, is taking action against these landlords who expect people to live in overcrowded and unsafe conditions.”

Superintendent David Cestaro, the Bedfordshire Police Lead for Modern Slavery, also comments on the HMO breaches: “While no offences under the Modern Slavery Act were identified from this particular operation, we have managed to safeguard people who were taken advantage of by being provided substandard living arrangements.

“We continue to ask members of the public and professionals in public-facing roles to trust their instincts and report anything which they believe could be a sign of someone being exploited, whether that be for labour, domestic servitude, sex or crime.”

Landlords, remember that HMO breaches carry significant penalties – Always stick to the law and protect your tenants.

Just 31 Illegal Migrants Removed from the UK Through Right to Rent Rules

Published On: January 11, 2017 at 9:33 am

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Just 31 illegal migrants have been removed from the UK through Right to Rent rules, according to statements made by Government ministers.

Following controversy over how effective the Right to Rent scheme will be at removing illegal migrants from the country, Labour’s Baroness Lister of Burtersett questioned the Government on how many landlords and tenants have been investigated under Right to Rent rules in the past year.

The Right to Rent scheme was introduced on 1st February 2016 in a bid to prevent illegal migrants’ access to the private rental sector.

Many landlords have struggled to understand their responsibilities concerning the rules, with recent research suggesting that the scheme is causing a great deal of worry to investors.

Just 31 Illegal Migrants Removed from the UK Through Right to Rent Rules

Just 31 Illegal Migrants Removed from the UK Through Right to Rent Rules

In fact, the Government has confirmed that it has received almost 8,000 calls to its landlord helpline in the past year. If you are having difficulty with your obligations, you can access support on 0300 069 9799.

While landlords can now be imprisoned for failing to comply with Right to Rent rules, it appears that the scheme may not be proving as effective as the Government may have hoped.

Responding to Baroness Lister’s request on how many illegal migrants have been identified and removed from the UK through the scheme, the Minister of State for the Home Department, Baroness Williams of Trafford, explained that the Home Office does not hold information about the overall number of illegal migrants found living in private rental accommodation.

However, she did present some figures on how many illegal migrants have been identified through enforcement action.

She explained: “Our records show that between the start of the scheme and 30th September 2016, 654 individuals were either named on a Civil Penalty Referral Notice served on a landlord, or encountered on an enforcement visit during which such a Notice was served, or encountered as a result of information provided through the Landlords Checking Service, or encountered as a result of other intelligence provided about property let to illegal migrants.

“Of these individuals, 31 were removed from the UK over the same period. Other cases may be being progressed to removal, or have been made subject to reporting restrictions, or have sought to regularise their stay, or have left the UK voluntarily.”

Baroness Williams then went on to defend the scheme: “The Right to Rent scheme is designed to restrict access to the private rented sector for illegal migrants in order to encourage voluntary departure from the UK and discourage illegal migration. The Home Office will always investigate information it receives about illegal migrants and take appropriate enforcement action according to the information available and the circumstances of the case. It is not always possible to attribute a return or other enforcement activity to the application of a sanction earlier in the case or to the route through which a particular individual was brought to the attention of the Home Office.”

So has the scheme proved successful in rooting out landlords that knowingly let to illegal migrants?

Between 1st November 2015 and 31st October 2016, when failure to comply with Right to Rent rules was still a civil offence, 75 initial civil penalties were issued to individual landlords.

It appears that the Government’s attempts to deny illegal migrants access to housing in the UK may in fact be more effective at uncovering rogue landlords that provide rental housing to those unlawfully living in the country.

Do you believe that the scheme is a necessary measure, considering how few illegal migrants have been discovered?

Notorious Landlord Issues New Lettings Criteria for Tenants

Published On: January 9, 2017 at 9:35 am

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Arguably Britain’s most notorious landlord, Fergus Wilson, has caused yet more controversy by issuing a new lettings criteria for tenants.

The notorious landlord, who previously owned around 1,000 rental properties across Kent, is said to have issued the new criteria through his letting agent, Evolution.

The notorious landlord, Fergus Wilson, and his wife, Judith

The notorious landlord, Fergus Wilson, and his wife, Judith

The controversial criteria have been posted on a Facebook page for residents of Ashford, Kent, where some of Wilson’s portfolio is based.

Last year, the notorious landlord sold half of his property portfolio at auction, claiming that the age of the amateur landlord is coming to an end. He referred specifically to tighter lending criteria for buy-to-let landlords.

But it appears that the controversial investor is still very much in business.

His new lettings criteria ban the following tenants:

  • Those with children under 18-years-old
  • Single parents
  • Tenants on housing benefit
  • Single adults
  • Plumbers
  • Battered wives
  • Smokers
  • People with pets
  • Low income workers
  • Zero hours workers

Wilson’s statement concludes: “Not all tenants on benefits are a problem, but all problems are on benefits.”

While many landlords have their own rules regarding benefits, smoking and pets, Wilson’s strict list is likely to cause great offence amongst renters in the area.

And although Wilson is said to have sold many of his rental properties to overseas investors, tenants are most probably hoping that he finally sells the rest of his portfolio and is no longer operating in Kent’s private rental sector.

Landlords, what do you think about the latest news from the notorious landlord? Do you yourself enforce such a strict lettings criteria for your properties?

There are many ways that you can ensure your property is protected, regardless of the type of tenant occupying it. Remember that you must act responsibly and stick to the laws of the private rental sector when letting to any tenant. Our free monthly newsletter will keep you up to date with any changes: www.34.207.192.121/register.

Landlord told to repay over £39,000

Published On: January 6, 2017 at 2:59 pm

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A buy-to-let landlord who failed to gain a licence for a property in London has been told to repay nearly £40,000 after being taken to court by Islington Council.

The Council made the call to reclaim to money it paid to Landhouse Ltd in housing benefits relating to a HMO. This came after the firm admitted to renting out the property without the sufficient HMO licence.

Inspections

Environmental health officers from the council conducted an inspection of the property and found it to be overcrowded and poorly managed. There were a number of fire hazards present throughout the property.

During a hearing at the Property Chamber, London Residential Property First Tier Tribunal, the landlord was told to pay £14,140 in both costs and fines. This was alongside repaying the council £39,022.52 in housing benefits, relating to the period when the flat was rented without a licence.

Landlord told to repay over £39,000

Landlord told to repay over £39,000

Now, Landhouse Ltd has applied for a licence, but is still liable to repay the benefit, which will be returned to a central Government housing benefit consolidation fund.

Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: ‘More and more people rent privately in Islington and we’re committed to helping make sure they have decent homes to live in. We will take action when landlords do not keep within the law and as this case shows the costs can be very significant.’[1]

[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/1/landlord-ordered-to-repay-39-000-rent

 

 

Landlord Ordered to Repay £39,000 in Housing Benefit

Published On: January 6, 2017 at 11:12 am

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Landlord Ordered to Repay £39,000 in Housing Benefit

Landlord Ordered to Repay £39,000 in Housing Benefit

A buy-to-let landlord who failed to obtain a license for a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in London has been ordered to repay £39,000 in housing benefit, following action taken by Islington Council.

The council ordered Landhouse Ltd, which rented out the HMO, to repay the money it had paid in housing benefit, after the firm admitted to letting the property without the correct HMO license.

Islington Council’s environmental health officers had conducted an inspection of the property, finding it to be overcrowded and badly managed. In addition, fire hazards were uncovered throughout the property.

In a hearing at the Property Chamber – the First-tier Tribunal for London Residential Property – the landlord was ordered to pay £14,140 in fines and costs, as well as repay the council £39,022.52 in the housing benefit claimed during the period when the property was rented without a license.

Landhouse Ltd has now applied for a license, but is still liable to repay the benefit, which will be returned to a central Government housing benefit consolidation fund.

Councillor Diarmaid Ward, Islington Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Development, comments on the case: “More and more people rent privately in Islington, and we’re committed to helping make sure they have decent homes to live in. We will take action when landlords do not keep within the law, and, as this case shows, the costs can be very significant.”

If you rent out a HMO, be aware that you are required to obtain a license from the local council. The Government has made it incredibly easy for landlords to gain a license for their property – simply enter the postcode of the property you require a license for at: https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence

To avoid facing hefty fines and even imprisonment, remember to stick to the law governing the private rental sector. Signing up for free access to our handy guides will ensure that you have all the information you need: /guides/