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 and costs between £1,285.90 and £1,818.00 annually depending on whether it is a new application or renewal.
- Neighbours repeatedly complained about rubbish dumped 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.
- A gas smell prompted Harrow Council to issue an Emergency Prohibition Order, barring anyone from living there until safety standards are met.
- Trivedi ignored multiple council requests for fire and electrical safety certificates.
- At a hearing in Willesden Magistrates’ Court in December 2025, Trivedi was found guilty of two offences: failing to provide a fire safety certificate and failing to provide an electrical safety certificate.
- Penalties include a £5,000 fine, a £2,000 victim surcharge, and £2,000 in costs, totalling £9,000.
- Pritesh Patel from Harrow Council stated that officers work tirelessly to protect tenants and that notices must be taken seriously, highlighting the consequences of ignoring warnings.
Edgware Harrow (North London News) January 26, 2026 – A north London landlord, Kamil Trivedi, has been fined £9,000 for operating a dangerous and unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) riddled with fire hazards in Edgware, under Harrow Council’s jurisdiction.
The four-bedroom property had been illegally converted into multiple living units without the mandatory HMO licence. Neighbours’ complaints about repeated rubbish dumping outside led to a council inspection, uncovering severe safety failures including a broken boiler and no smoke alarms.
What Triggered the Investigation?
Neighbours in Edgware repeatedly reported rubbish being dumped outside the property, which raised initial concerns about the site’s management. This prompted Harrow Council officers to conduct an inspection, as detailed in reports from the BBC.
During the visit, officers identified “dangerous living conditions” that posed immediate risks to tenants. A strong smell of gas was detected, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service cited by the BBC, necessitating the dispatch of an emergency engineer to the scene.
These findings underscored the property’s non-compliance with basic safety regulations, escalating the matter to legal proceedings.
What Hazards Were Discovered at the Property?
The inspection revealed multiple critical failures at Kamil Trivedi’s Edgware HMO. Officers found a broken boiler, the complete absence of smoke alarms, and a pervasive strong smell of gas, as reported by BBC News.
The property was described as “riddled with fire hazards,” highlighting the severity of the risks to occupants. These conditions breached fundamental HMO standards, including fire safety protocols.
Harrow Council acted swiftly by issuing an Emergency Prohibition Order, which legally prevented anyone from residing there until remedial works restored it to an acceptable standard.
Why Was No HMO Licence Issued?
Kamil Trivedi operated the four-bedroom home as an unlicensed HMO, a legal requirement in Harrow borough for properties rented to multiple occupants. The BBC reports that licences cost between £1,285.90 for new applications and £1,818.00 for renewals annually.
Trivedi ignored repeated council requests to provide essential fire and electrical safety certificates. This non-compliance formed the basis of the two offences for which he was prosecuted.
Without a licence, the property could not legally house multiple tenants, exposing residents to unregulated and hazardous conditions.
What Happened at Willesden Magistrates’ Court?
The case culminated in a hearing at Willesden Magistrates’ Court in December 2025. Kamil Trivedi was found guilty on two counts: failing to provide a fire safety certificate and failing to provide an electrical safety certificate, per BBC coverage.
He received a £5,000 fine, alongside a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,000 contribution towards costs, totalling £9,000. The court’s decision reflected the gravity of endangering tenants through neglect.
This outcome serves as a precedent for enforcement against rogue landlords in north London.
What Penalties Did the Landlord Face?
The total penalty imposed on Kamil Trivedi amounted to £9,000, broken down precisely by the court. This included the primary £5,000 fine for the dual offences of withholding fire and electrical safety certificates.
Additional elements comprised a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,000 in prosecution costs, as outlined in the BBC’s account of the December 2025 hearing. No further appeals or mitigations were noted in available reports.
These financial sanctions aim to deter similar violations while compensating public resources expended on enforcement.
How Did Harrow Council Respond?
Harrow Council enforced an Emergency Prohibition Order immediately after detecting the gas smell, barring habitation until safety upgrades were completed. Officers had previously issued multiple notices that Trivedi disregarded, according to BBC details.
Pritesh Patel from Harrow Council emphasised the authority’s proactive stance.
“Our officers work tirelessly to protect tenants and ensure landlords know their responsibilities,”
Patel said, as quoted by the BBC.
“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.”
This statement underscores the council’s commitment to tenant welfare amid rising HMO concerns.
What Are the Legal Requirements for HMOs in Harrow?
HMO licences are compulsory across Harrow borough for properties like Trivedi’s four-bedroom conversion housing multiple unrelated occupants. Annual fees range from £1,285.90 to £1,818.00, depending on application type, as per council guidelines referenced by the BBC.
Landlords must submit fire and electrical safety certificates, alongside compliance with gas safety standards. Failure constitutes criminal offences, prosecutable in magistrates’ courts.
Mandatory standards also cover waste management, addressing neighbour complaints like those in Edgware.
Why Do Neighbours’ Complaints Matter in HMO Cases?
Rubbish dumping outside the Edgware property triggered the inspection chain, demonstrating the impact of community vigilance. Such reports enable councils to intervene proactively, as seen here per BBC reporting.
Neighbours’ persistence highlighted ongoing mismanagement, amplifying the case for enforcement. This resident input proved pivotal in exposing internal hazards.
Councils rely on public tips to monitor the borough’s estimated thousands of HMOs.
What Broader Implications Does This Case Have for Landlords?
This prosecution signals Harrow Council’s zero-tolerance for unlicensed, hazardous HMOs. Pritesh Patel’s remarks, via BBC, warn that ignoring notices invites severe repercussions.
North London landlords face heightened scrutiny amid housing pressures. Compliance costs, though substantial, pale against £9,000 fines and reputational damage.
Tenants gain reassurance from such actions, potentially reducing exploitative rentals.
How Does This Fit into North London HMO Trends?
Edgware’s case reflects wider north London challenges with rogue HMOs, where conversions evade licensing. Harrow Council’s jurisdiction spans high-demand areas prone to overcrowding.
Similar enforcement actions have occurred borough-wide, targeting fire risks and waste issues. This verdict may spur audits, benefiting tenant safety.
Local media like BBC amplify these stories, fostering accountability.
In the wake of Kamil Trivedi’s £9,000 penalty, Harrow Council continues its rigorous oversight of private rentals. The Edgware property remains prohibited until fully rectified, exemplifying enforcement rigour. Pritesh Patel’s quoted resolve reinforces that tenant protection trumps landlord negligence. As north London grapples with housing strains, such cases remind operators of their duties under British law. Councils urge landlords to prioritise licences and certificates proactively. This incident, rooted in neighbour vigilance and officer diligence, fortifies community safety nets.
