London Landlord Fined $$50,000 for Unlicensed, Mushroom-Infested HMO
Kensington and Chelsea Council prosecutes landlord and management company for unsafe living conditions in a Grade II listed property.
A landlord and his management company have been fined a total of $$50,000 by Kensington and Chelsea Council for operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) with severe damp and mold issues. The property, a Grade II listed 22-bed HMO on Hyde Park Gate, saw mushrooms growing through the floorboards, according to council statements.
Mohammed Rasool and Blackstone Properties Management Ltd., of which Rasool is a director, were convicted on eight charges each following a retrial at City of London Magistrates' Court on June 29, 2026. These charges included managing an unlicensed HMO, failing to comply with an improvement notice, and six breaches of HMO management regulations. The company was fined $$30,000 plus $$12,176.68 in prosecution costs, and Rasool was fined $$20,000.
The investigation into the property began in 2020 after a tenant complaint. Council officers, accompanied by the Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade, visited the property in August 2021. They discovered significant fire safety risks, including defective fire doors, inadequate fire separation, and damaged electrical sockets. Tenants were reportedly cooking in their rooms without proper facilities, and the property suffered from rising damp and mold, leading to fungi growth on upper floors.
Kensington and Chelsea Council requires HMOs to be licensed if they house three or more tenants. Licensing typically involves landlords adhering to additional safety regulations, fire safety measures, and minimum room size standards. The property at 36 Hyde Park Gate had been converted from four bedrooms into 22 rooms.
Councillor Johnny Thalassites, lead member for resident services, planning and enforcement for Kensington and Chelsea Council, stated that the landlord and company were given opportunities to rectify the issues but failed to do so. He emphasized the council's commitment to taking action against landlords who do not comply with regulations to ensure safe living conditions for residents.