The property was also found to have severe damp and mould in the kitchen
A court has ordered a North London landlord to pay more than £6,500 after a family had been left in a property “with serious disrepair”, which included living without a bathroom door for more than a year. Mr Totland, who managed a property on Roundwood Road in Willesden, was prosecuted at Willesden Magistrates’ Court after multiple hazards were uncovered at the address following an investigation by Brent Council officers.
The investigation took place after the tenant reported a number of on-going issues at the property, including that the electric cooker and hob were not working – posing a safety risk. Officers also uncovered “severe damp and mould” in the kitchen, as well as the missing bathroom door.
Despite being served with an Improvement Notice, a follow-up inspection revealed that the landlord had not carried out any of the required works so the council began legal proceedings.
Magistrates ruled that Mr Totland had breached housing legislation by failing in his statutory duty to address the hazards under the Housing Act and was fined £6,543. The council has said it will “continue working with Mr Totland until the repairs are done and property made safe”.
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Fleur Donnelly-Jackson, said: “This case shows how seriously we pursue landlords who try to exploit tenants in Brent. Every family deserves to live in a safe home with dignity and privacy, no one should be expected to use a bathroom without a door.”
Borough-wide licensing in Brent has been the law since April 2024. All landlords renting out properties in Brent, except Wembley Park, need a license and those who don’t face hefty fines or prosecution. The private rental sector is increasingly being used to address a shortfall in social housing, and the council wants to use tougher rules to ‘drive up standards’ and make them safer.
The council suggests that the licensing scheme will benefit both tenants and landlords alike by ensuring high standards are maintained and fewer disputes, resulting in longer and more sustainable tenancies. Licensing imposes specific obligations on the landlord to demonstrate that their property is safe while enabling the council to enforce rules and, through effective communication, provide tenants with information to ensure they are aware of their rights and obligations.
The selective licensing scheme costs landlords £640 for each application. If the licence holder or managing agent is accredited to the London Landlord Accreditation Scheme, they may be entitled to a £40 discount per property application.
Cllr Donnelly-Jackson said: “Every rental property in Brent needs a licence to comply with the law. Landlords still operating without a licence should apply online today to avoid a knock on the door by our enforcement officers. Don’t get caught out, get licensed!”
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