Rogue landlords prosecuted after 35 people found living in a two bed Canonbury flat

Islington Council prosecutes landlords for dangerous and sub-standard conditions after 35 people found living in converted Victorian semi-detached house. Picture: Islington Council Archant

Two rogue landlords have been prosecuted for dangerous and sub-standard conditions after Islington Council found 35 people living in a two bedroom flat in Grosvenor Avenue.

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Islington Council prosecutes landlords for dangerous and sub-standard conditions after 35 people found living in converted Victorian semi-detached house. Picture: Islington Council Islington Council prosecutes landlords for dangerous and sub-standard conditions after 35 people found living in converted Victorian semi-detached house. Picture: Islington Council

Arun Bajaj and Antonio Ferraivolo were found guilty of managing Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) with dangerous and sub-standard conditions at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court in July.

The pair were also managing two properties in Seven Sisters Road – and environmental health officers found 35 breaches of housing regulations at the three addresses, with tenants found to be at risk from serious fire safety hazards, overcrowding and disrepair.

Baraj, of Bradford Street, Birmingham, whose family owns all of the properties, was found guilty of 15 offences in relation to the management of the two addresses in Seven Sisters Road.

His associate, Ferraivolo, was found guilty of 35 offences in relation to the management of the two properties in Seven Sisters Road, and also the property in Grosvenor Avenue.

Islington Council prosecutes landlords for dangerous and sub-standard conditions after 35 people found living in converted Victorian semi-detached house. Picture: Islington Council Islington Council prosecutes landlords for dangerous and sub-standard conditions after 35 people found living in converted Victorian semi-detached house. Picture: Islington Council

They will be sentenced at a later date. Islington is seeking confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Islington’s housing chief Cllr Diarmaid Ward said: “Many landlords do the right thing and look after their tenants, but landlords who put tenants at risk will be held to account by the council and by the courts.”

Anyone with concerns about a landlord or a house in multiple occupation in Islington can contact residential.envh@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 3083.