A landlord and his property management firm have been hit with a £63,000 penalty for operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Kensington and Chelsea, featuring numerous serious safety hazards. Mohammed Rasool and Blackstone Properties Management Ltd were prosecuted by Kensington and Chelsea Council after dangerous conditions were uncovered at 36 Hyde Park Gate, a substantial 22-room property situated in one of central London's most exclusive residential districts.
The council's investigation into the property began in 2020 following a complaint from a tenant. Subsequent inspections in 2021 revealed that the HMO was operating without the mandatory licence, alongside a catalogue of fire and electrical safety failings. Officers documented issues such as damaged fire doors, insufficient fire separation between bedrooms, a lack of fire safety measures in the boiler room and lobby, obstructed fire alarms, and both burnt-out and loose electrical sockets. These breaches posed considerable risks to the 22 individuals residing in the property.
Councillor Johnny Thalassites, the council's lead member for resident services, planning, and enforcement, commented on the case, stating that Mr Rasool and Blackstone Properties Management Limited 'were given opportunities to put things right, but the court found they chose not to.' He affirmed the council's commitment to pursuing landlords who disregard regulations, emphasising that 'everyone in Kensington and Chelsea deserves a safe place to live.'
This is not the first instance of legal action against the property and its operators. An initial prosecution three years ago concerning the same address led to a substantial £500,000 fine. That verdict was subsequently challenged, resulting in a retrial which concluded several weeks ago with the current £63,000 penalty. Mohammed Rasool has a documented history of housing violations; a judge in 2022 described him as 'a thoroughly dishonest individual', and he was identified by The Guardian in 2023 as one of London's 'worst landlords'. Furthermore, Companies House records indicate that Blackstone Properties Management Limited, where Rasool remains a director, is currently more than two years overdue in filing its required company paperwork.
The outcome of this case highlights the significant financial and reputational repercussions for landlords who fail to adhere to HMO licensing requirements and safety standards. With regulatory oversight of the private rental sector continuing to intensify across the UK, property investors and managers are facing increasingly stringent compliance obligations. This prosecution serves as a stark reminder that enforcement actions can lead to substantial penalties, particularly for repeat offenders operating in high-value property markets where tenant safety is compromised.