£40k fine for overcrowded HMO property

Brent Council has successfully had another landlord fined for overcrowding.

Landlord, Tilak Raj Sarna has been left with a bill of £39,540 from his case at Willesden Magistrates' Court.


The court heard description by Brent Council Officers of a Wembley rental house crammed with 24 people living in 'squalid conditions'.

Although the property had been granted a HMO licence, that was for a maximum of seven people, but when Brent Council Officers made a spot check of the property they discovered it to be inhabited by seven families along with their 10 young children.

Squalid conditions were outlined by Brent Council Officers  -

• A cockroach infestation
• Missing smoke alarms
• Overloaded electrical sockets 
• Inadequate fire doors
• Cold and damp rooms
• Overflowing bins 

Mr Sarna was found guilty of a number of charges relating to overcrowding and fire safety offences at the House in Multiple Occupation.

He was also ordered to pay £33,000 in fines, £6,420 in court costs and a £120 victim surcharge.

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