Posts with tag: Luton

Rent-to-Rent Fraudster Jailed for HMO Scam

Published On: April 25, 2016 at 12:39 pm

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Categories: Landlord News

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A rent-to-rent fraudster has been jailed for 16 months after pleading guilty to six offences relating to a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) scam.

Moses Ogoe, 24, of Hitchin Road, Luton, was sentenced last week after being found guilty of obtaining properties with false documentation, converting the properties into HMOs and renting them out pretending to be the landlord.

Rent-to-Rent Fraudster Jailed for HMO Scam

Rent-to-Rent Fraudster Jailed for HMO Scam

Luton Council’s Trading Standards and Private Sector Housing services conducted an investigation into Ogoe’s activities, finding that he was carrying out a rent-to-rent scam on seven properties. Ogoe continued pretending to be a landlord even while on court bail.

When obtaining the properties, Ogoe produced documents claiming he was a doctor, security manager and catering manager. In fact, Ogoe was a temporary security guard.

On several occasions, Ogoe evicted tenants without notice when they failed to pay an increase in rent immediately.

Throughout the investigation, Ogoe refused to co-operate with officers, insisting that he had done nothing wrong and that it was a civil dispute. However, on the first day of his trial, he changed his plea to guilty.

When sentencing Ogoe, His Honour Judge Kay QC said: “You saw an opportunity to rent relatively sizeable properties and sublet them to desperate individuals who needed somewhere to live. You were not providing a public service because you did this for greed. You defrauded them as you did not provide a genuine tenancy and the protection that would give.”1 

Ogoe had previously received a caution under the Housing Act in connection with the conditions at one of the properties.

He will now serve 16 months in prison and must pay £7,500 in costs. The court also ordered that the computers used to create the false documents be removed.

Ogoe’s sister, Rebecca Ogoe, was given a conditional discharge, as the judge believed her brother had manipulated her in this case.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing at Luton Council, Councillor Tom Shaw, comments: “This case underlines the council’s ongoing commitment to ensure private tenants in our town have safe, high quality accommodation. In situations like this, unscrupulous landlords are not only taking financial advantage of vulnerable tenants, but placing their lives in danger.

“Every landlord housing different families that share the same facilities under one roof must register for an HMO license. We will not hesitate to prosecute landlords who show a disregard for the law and their responsibilities towards occupants.”1 

1 http://www.luton-dunstable.co.uk/Rogue-Luton-landlord-jailed-16-months-fraud/story-29158103-detail/story.html

Average House Price Could Soon Hit £300,000

Published On: January 14, 2016 at 12:04 pm

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Categories: Property News

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The average house price in England and Wales was £292,077 at the end of last year, according to the latest report from Your Move and Reeds Rains.

Average House Price Could Soon Hit £300,000

Average House Price Could Soon Hit £300,000

The firms found that the average property value rose 6.6% annually, an increase of £17,963 over the year.

House prices in central London fell by an average of 8.7% last year, pulled down by higher Stamp Duty on the most expensive homes. Meanwhile, prices elsewhere in the capital soared by 11%.

The estate agents also found that last month was the strongest December for property sales since 2006, as buyers compete for fewer homes on the market. Over the month, there were 85,000 home sales.

The Director of Your Move and Reeds Rains, Adrian Gill, claims that new price records were set in every single month last year.

He says: “If the current speed of house price growth continues into 2016, the value of the average home may soon pass the £300,000 watermark, having reached £250,000 in December 2013.

“Property prices have certainly left the recession in their wake.”

He continues: “Regionally, house prices in the South East have been increasing at a rate of knots, enjoying the fastest growth of any region. The 8.1% year-on-year price rise has been particularly propelled by demand for homes in commuter towns.

“Luton has seen the largest increase of 18.5% year-on-year, with the average cost of a semi-detached home in the town increasing by approximately £40,000 since 2014.

“The East Midlands has also seen a significant surge in house prices, overtaking East Anglia to become the second fastest growing region in England.

“This acceleration has emanated from a boom in Nottingham, which has seen year-on-year house price growth of 10.6%, boosting the region’s overall annual growth rate of 6.7%. Average property prices in the city have risen £14,691 in a year and now stand at £152,978.”1 

How have prices changed where you live?

1 http://www.propertyindustryeye.com/average-house-prices-will-soon-get-close-to-300000-mark-claim/

 

Luton Council Aims to Tackle Rogue Landlords

Published On: December 17, 2015 at 12:58 pm

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Luton Council Aims to Tackle Rogue Landlords

Luton Council Aims to Tackle Rogue Landlords

Luton Borough Council has launched a new scheme to crack down on rogue landlords that rent out poorly managed or dangerous properties.

The Rogue Landlord Project was created alongside the Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue Service, the Luton Law Centre and the Luton Citizens Advice Bureau.

The council insists that rogue landlords will not be tolerated and offenders will be caught.

The scheme particularly focuses on:

  • Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)
  • Beds in sheds – substandard properties that are being used as homes without relevant permission
  • Empty homes – the council hopes to bring these properties back into use to provide more people with accommodation

Recently, 18 landlords have been prosecuted by Luton Council or served with prohibition orders, many resulting in large fines and criminal records. Beds in sheds and HMOs have been emptied and several investigations are ongoing.

Councillor Tom Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Housing at Luton Borough Council, says: “The Rogue Landlord Project is an integral part of ensuring that private housing in Luton is of a good standard. It is an important part of our enforcement policy and will help ensure that properties in Luton are safe and maintained to a good standard. If a HMO is poorly managed, tenants’ safety could be at risk.

“We are committed to ensuring that rogue landlords are identified and are made to improve the property or face prosecution. I would encourage tenants or neighbours who suspect a landlord is not adhering to the rules to get in touch with us.”1 

1 https://www.luton.gov.uk/Housing/Other%20housing%20information/Pages/Rogue-Landlord-Project.aspx