9th
Aug 2021
Camden is the first UK local authority in achieving an anti-social behaviour injunction against a ‘rogue’ landlord making it safe for private tenants from any form of harassment and illegal eviction attempts by the landlord.
The 29 year old landlord Mohammed Ali Abbas Rasool is now subject to an ASBO injunction which the council successfully secured in court proceedings.
Camden worked in partnership with the Met. Police to bring the case against Rasool who was found to have repeatedly harassed tenants and attempted illegal evictions at one of his properties in Kilburn.
Because the council issued a disclosure request to the police, the court was also told that Rasool was a serial offender as there were many similar reports of anti-social behaviour towards his tenants in other London boroughs.
The hearing was held in June has just become public with the landlord failing to turn up at the proceedings so the judge had no other option than to grant an injunction in his absence.
The injunction includes an exclusion zone around the property in Kilburn, which the rogue landlord cannot enter into until May 14 2022, if he fails to comply he could be arrested.
Camden’s Rogue Landlord Taskforce is meanwhile ensuring that the tenants in the property will have their full support to make sure the terms of the order are complied with. They are also helping the renters with legal advice and have ordered the leaseholder to make the necessary fire safety improvements to the house.
Camden’s Private Sector Housing Service is also carrying out ongoing investigations into Rasool’s other properties in the borough regarding the management and fire safety procedures in operation.
Camden councillor Meric Apak says: “Around a third of Camden residents rent from private landlords and they deserve to live in properly regulated, safe homes and to be treated fairly. The pandemic has further highlighted the importance of the right to a home that is safe and secure. Most landlords are decent law-abiding people however, for too long a minority have been able to let housing that is unsuitable while exploiting their tenants and woefully disregarding their wellbeing and safety.
“Our HMO licensing scheme and Rogue Landlord Taskforce are continuing to improve the standards in Camden’s private housing sector, empowering renters to take action and helping good landlords to run successful businesses.
“The legal action taken in this case was a necessary last resort. Our message to landlords and letting agents is that we are here to work with you; to provide advice and assistance first of all and to ensure you can meet your obligations.”
Camden’s neighbourhood policing chief inspector Richard Berns, said: “We continue to take enforcement action against a very small minority of rogue landlords abusing their position of trust.
“Our Integrated Anti-Social Behaviour Team do a fantastic job, not only ensuring vulnerable people are safeguarded but also guaranteeing those intent on taking advantage of others are sought out and brought to justice.”
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