Investor Branded “Rogue Landlord” Threatens to Sue Council

A property investor who owns a three-bedroom house in Queensbury, northwest London, where 35 men were found living in rooms full of mattresses, has threatened to sue Brent Council after it publically referred to him as a rogue landlord.

We covered the shocking story yesterday – click here to read the full article: /council-warns-rogue-landlords-coming/

The residents had been cramped into every room of the property, other than the bathrooms, with bedding. Even the kitchen contained a sleeping area, while there was another mattress found laid out under a canopy in the back garden.

However, the landlord of the property, Sunil Hathi, insists that he had no idea of the conditions of the property or the fact that so many people are living in the house, as he originally let it to three individuals.

Brent Council raided the property on Winchester Avenue earlier this week, following complaints from neighbours about overcrowding, anti-social behaviour and fly tipping.

Hathi, who is a doctor, said that he was shocked by the discovery and has pledged to evict the men as soon as possible.

He responded: “I have no idea how many people are living at this address; it was originally rented out to three people. This is the first time I have come here in the month they have been living here. We were not aware they were staying here and we are going to evict them.

“Brent Council put out a statement to the press saying that it was a ‘rogue landlord’ and I resent these comments. They’re highly defamatory and I am speaking with my lawyers.”

He added: “I’m not running away from anything – why would I? This house is worth a lot of money. They could have found me in minutes on the Land Registry.”

Landlords, have you ever experienced a similar situation where you did not realise what condition your rental property was in?