Residents at a property that was illegally converted into 11 bedsit flats fear it is still not fit for human habitation, prompting one local councillor to call for a harder clampdown on rogue landlords.
The building on Myddleton Road (main image), London, was turned into an HMO, forcing Haringey Council to take landlord Andreas Antoniades to court.
However, despite a successful prosecution, the property has remained largely unchanged, says former tenant Mike Weekes-Quinn, who lived at the property for eight years.
Weekes-Quinn has told Haringey Community Press that his room was a “box” no more than six metres by two metres, with a bed and a fridge.
There was no heating in the rooms, mould and damp were common, and the walls were thin enough to hear the people next door. Other tenants included people addicted to illegal substances and some even used the oven to try to stay warm. His rent was more than £900 per month.
Since moving out almost four years ago, Weekes-Quinn has visited occasionally and says while “marginal improvements” have been made - there are now fire doors in the corridors and a light showing the exits - it looked the same. The property is also now listed on the council's HMO register.
But despite the improvements, Independent Socialist and Bounds Green ward councillor, Mary Mason (main image) says: “It’s unbelievable that people live in one room with no heating and no hot water and pay a wealthy landlord almost £1,000 a month, but it’s true.
“We must do better. Rogue unlicensed landlords running houses of multiple occupation must not get away with this.”
“We must do better. Rogue unlicensed landlords running houses of multiple occupation must not get away with this.”
Haringey Council is currently investigating the property, and a spokesman says following concerns about poor standards, teams inspected the property, and several improvements were made.
“However, we have since received further complaints,” he adds. “Our officers are currently investigating the property to establish the level of intervention required. Should there be a failure to comply with what is needed, we will not hesitate to take further enforcement action.”
Andreas Antoniades was approached for comment.
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