Two property agents who broke licensing laws have been prosecuted by Enfield Council.
Mansur Duzgan, sole director of Guaranteed Rent GD Limited and his company, have both been prosecuted after failing to obtain a licence for a property in Edmonton, a requirement under Enfield Council’s selective licensing scheme.
On Thursday 29 February, at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, Mansur Duzgan and Guaranteed Rent GD Limited of Kendal Parade, Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 were convicted for offences under section 95 of the Housing Act 2004, namely managing and having control of a private rented property in College Close (N18) which was unlicensed.
Both the company and director were ordered to pay a fine of £1,000 and costs of £3,450, totalling £4,450 each.
The breach was discovered through the Council’s ongoing licensing and enforcement work investigating suspected unlicensed properties.
Selective licensing applies to all privately rented residential properties occupied by one or two persons, or one family households in 14 areas of the borough.
The court judge commented: “The defendant should have just cooperated, and he would have avoided this situation altogether, and then he compounded things by seeking to pull the wool over Enfield [Council’s] eyes.”
The Council’s licensing team were successful in another separate prosecution where estate and letting agent, Portfolio Property Services (UK) Limited in Ponders End were convicted for failing to licence a property in Scotland Green Road North (EN3).
Despite failing to attend a hearing in Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on 8 February, Portfolio Property Services (UK) Limited was found guilty and was ordered to pay a total of £5,451.80 made up of a fine of £3,000, costs of £1,251.80 and a victim surcharge of £1,200.
The prosecutions represent the commitment by Enfield Council to take robust action against non-compliant landlords, letting and managing agents who break the law.
Click here for further information on the selective licensing scheme and to apply for a licence.