Shocking behaviour by a landlord including renting out a property without planning permission, throwing a tenant out of the home illegally and verbal and physical abuse have led to a suspended prison sentence for building firm director Qamil Cama.
The 54-year old is also to pay a fine of £20,000 including £10,000 compensation to the tenant involved after the London Borough of Barnet took him to court.
During the two-day trial the tenant gave evidence behind a screen recounting how, after arguments over Cama’s extra cash demands turned violent.
His tenant, who paid £800 a month inclusive of bills, had been asked by Cama for extra money to cover increased bills on a weekly basis and, when these were questioned, an illegal eviction took place during which belongings from inside the rental property were thrown onto the street.
Barnet also discovered that Cama, who had successfully applied for planning permission to build a garage next to his home on Crescent Road (main image), had instead converted it into a rental property.
At Willesden Magistrates’ Court Cama was found guilty of failing to comply with the requirements of an Enforcement Notice issued by the council, and two separate landlord offences under the Protection of Eviction act 1977.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge called Cama a ‘rogue landlord’ and said he was “lucky the prisons were full”.
“This prosecution sends out a clear message that planning regulations are there for a reason, and anyone intent on flouting the rules in Barnet will be punished accordingly,” says Cllr Ross Houston (pictured), Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration.
“This case is a great example of cross working collaboration between the council’s planning enforcement and housing regulatory services teams to achieve this successful action.
“The safety of our residents is paramount and any landlords or property owners acting in this manner will not be tolerated.”
In a shocking follow-up to the sentence, the council says it suspects Cama is renting out the property illegally once more, and says it may demolish the building and launch and second prosecution again him.
Tags:
Comments