Key Points
- A north London landlord, Kamil Trivedi, has been ordered to pay £9,000 after his unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Edgware was found riddled with fire hazards.
- The four-bedroom home was converted into multiple units without the required HMO licence, which is mandatory across Harrow borough for such properties and costs between £1,285.90 and £1,818.00 annually depending on whether it is a new application or renewal.
- Neighbours complained about repeated rubbish dumping outside the property, prompting an inspection by Harrow Council officers.
- Officers discovered dangerous living conditions, including a broken boiler, absence of smoke alarms, and a strong smell of gas, leading to an emergency engineer being dispatched.
- Harrow Council issued an Emergency Prohibition Order, barring anyone from living there until remedial work brought the property up to standard.
- The landlord ignored multiple requests for required fire and electrical safety certificates.
- Trivedi was found guilty of two offences at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in December 2025: failing to provide a fire safety certificate and failing to provide an electrical safety certificate.
- Penalties included a £5,000 fine, a £2,000 victim surcharge, and a £2,000 costs contribution, totalling £9,000.
- Pritesh Patel from Harrow Council stated: “Our officers work tirelessly to protect tenants and ensure landlords know their responsibilities. When they issue notices, they must be taken seriously. This case shows the consequences of ignoring warnings and allowing a property to fall into a dangerous state.”
Edgware, Harrow (North London News) January 12, 2026 – A landlord in north London has been fined £9,000 for operating an unlicensed and hazardous House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) riddled with fire risks and lacking basic safety measures, following a court hearing that underscores Harrow Council’s commitment to tenant safety.
What Led to the Council Inspection?
Neighbours’ repeated complaints about rubbish dumped outside the four-bedroom home in Edgware triggered the initial scrutiny by Harrow Council officers. The property, under Harrow Council’s jurisdiction, had been unlawfully converted into multiple living units without the mandatory HMO licence. As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, these complaints highlighted ongoing issues that pointed to broader neglect.
Council officers’ inspection revealed severe safety lapses, including a broken boiler and no smoke alarms, creating dangerous living conditions for tenants. A strong smell of gas was detected during the visit, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, necessitating the immediate dispatch of an emergency engineer to mitigate the risk of explosion or poisoning.
Why Was an Emergency Prohibition Order Issued?
Harrow Council swiftly issued an Emergency Prohibition Order after the gas smell and other hazards were identified, preventing any occupancy until the property met acceptable standards. This order was a direct response to the imminent dangers posed to residents, as detailed in council statements. The measure ensured no one could live there amid the unresolved issues.
The landlord, Kamil Trivedi, had disregarded multiple requests from the council to submit fire and electrical safety certificates, both legally required for HMOs. Without these documents, the property remained a clear violation of borough regulations.
What Are the Legal Requirements for HMOs in Harrow?
Operating an HMO in Harrow requires a licence costing between £1,285.90 for new applications and £1,818.00 for renewals, a rule applicable borough-wide to ensure safety compliance. Trivedi lacked this licence entirely, converting the four-bedroom home into multiple units without authorisation. Harrow Council enforces these standards rigorously to protect vulnerable tenants.
Fire and electrical safety certificates are non-negotiable, forming the basis of the two offences for which Trivedi was convicted. Failure to provide them exposed tenants to grave risks, from fire outbreaks to electrocution.
What Happened at Willesden Magistrates’ Court?
Kamil Trivedi faced Willesden Magistrates’ Court in December 2025, where he was found guilty on two counts: failing to provide a fire safety certificate and failing to provide an electrical safety certificate. The court imposed a £5,000 fine, reflecting the severity of the breaches. Additional penalties included a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,000 in costs, totalling £9,000 payable by the landlord.
The hearing followed the council’s exhaustive efforts, including ignored notices and the emergency intervention, culminating in this judicial outcome.
Who Is Pritesh Patel and What Did He Say?
Pritesh Patel, representing Harrow Council, emphasised the authority’s proactive stance in a statement:
“Our officers work tirelessly to protect tenants and ensure landlords know their responsibilities.”
Patel further noted,
“When they issue notices, they must be taken seriously. This case shows the consequences of ignoring warnings and allowing a property to fall into a dangerous state.”
His comments, as quoted in council releases, highlight the ramifications for non-compliant landlords.
How Does This Case Impact Tenants and Landlords?
Tenants in the Edgware property faced immediate eviction under the Emergency Prohibition Order, safeguarding them from the broken boiler, absent smoke alarms, and gas leak risks. Neighbours, whose rubbish complaints sparked the investigation, saw resolution to a persistent blight on their community. The case serves as a deterrent across north London.
Landlords like Trivedi now face heightened scrutiny, with Harrow Council signalling zero tolerance for unlicensed operations or ignored safety demands. The £9,000 penalty breaks down as a stark financial lesson: £5,000 fine, £2,000 surcharge, and £2,000 costs.
What Broader Context Exists for HMO Enforcement?
Harrow Council’s jurisdiction covers rigorous HMO licensing to prevent the very hazards found in Trivedi’s property—unlicensed conversions, missing certificates, and waste accumulation. The Local Democracy Reporting Service noted the gas engineer’s emergency role, amplifying the story’s urgency. No additional media reports beyond this incident were identified, but the case aligns with ongoing north London efforts against rogue landlords.
Councils like Harrow prioritise fire safety amid rising HMO conversions in areas such as Edgware, where demand for affordable housing drives risky practices. Pritesh Patel’s remarks reinforce that notices are not optional.
Why Is Tenant Safety Paramount in North London?
North London’s dense boroughs, including Harrow, see high HMO usage, making enforcement critical to avert tragedies like fires from absent alarms or gas incidents. Trivedi’s failure to act on council requests exemplifies risks when landlords prioritise profits over compliance. The Emergency Prohibition Order exemplifies swift protective action.
The court’s December 2025 ruling at Willesden Magistrates’ sends a clear message: unlicensed HMOs with hazards will incur heavy fines. Harrow’s annual licence fees underscore the investment required for legal operation.
What Steps Follow the Fine?
Post-fine, Trivedi must remediate the property—installing smoke alarms, repairing the boiler, eliminating gas risks, and obtaining certificates—before lifting the Prohibition Order. Harrow Council monitors compliance closely, as Pritesh Patel indicated officers’ tireless work. Tenants cannot return until standards are met.
Neighbours’ rubbish issues should resolve with enforced cleanliness under any future licence. The £9,000 payment covers victim surcharge and costs, aiding council resources.
How Does This Reflect Council Priorities?
Harrow Council, via Pritesh Patel, stressed protecting tenants through persistent officer efforts. Ignoring notices leads to court, as in Trivedi’s case with two convictions. The Local Democracy Reporting Service covered the gas smell and engineer dispatch, detailing the crisis.
This Edgware incident highlights north London’s push against dangerous rentals, ensuring landlords like Kamil Trivedi face accountability.
