Landlord fined for not protecting tenancy deposit and operating an unlicensed HMO

A buy-to-let landlord has been found guilty of aggressive practices, failing to protect a tenancy deposit and operating an unlicensed House of Multiple Occupation in the Sneinton area of Nottingham

Nottingham Magistrates has ordered Shafaqat Ali Sadiq, of Vicarage Avenue, Derby, to pay a fine of £1,750 for the three separate offences, which fall under the Housing Act 2004 and Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations.

An investigation was carried out by Nottingham City Council’s Trading Standards and Safer Housing teams following a complaint received from a tenant who claimed he had been forcibly removed from his home, despite paying his rent on time.

It transpired that the tenant did not receive a tenancy agreement after paying a deposit and rent in cash, while the landlord is reported to have let himself into the house without notice on several occasions – often demanding money which apparently was not due to him.

Cllr Toby Neal, portfolio holder for community protection at Nottingham City Council, said: “This is a great result for the council, showing the importance of different teams working together and using consumer protection legislation to protect vunerable tenants.”

The tenant claimed that Sadiq, who failed to protect the tenant’s deposit in a government-backed scheme tenancy deposit scheme, behaved aggressively towards him, often shouting and threatening to throw his belongings in the street.

Cllr Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for housing and planning, commented: “Landlords are required to manage their property in accordance with the law.

“Failing to secure tenants’ deposits and acting aggressively towards them is not acceptable. This case shows that Nottingham City Council will take robust action through the courts to prosecute rogue landlords.”

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