By Eric King-
A “rogue” estate agent has been fined over £70,000 for letting “dangerous” properties to families long after his licence was withdrawn.
Muhammad Siddique of Francis Road, Watford, was found guilty of fifteen separate offences relating to three illegally established houses in Whippendell Road with multiple occupancy dating back to December 2017.
Mr Siddique was fined after presenting himself as a franchise of the online estate agency Open House after the company terminated his right to practice in 2016 due to a repeat failure to adhere to “strict customer care and compliance procedures”. He failed to provide gas and electrical suppliances.
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He also failed to safeguard the properties against fire risks and ensure a safe escape route in case of a fire.Environmental Health officers also uncovered health and safety breaches including a blocked and overflowing drain, accumulated waste, dirty toilets and signs of damp.He rented out three illegal properties in Whippendell Road which were designed for single families . Mr Siddique let each room individually, creating a multiple occupancy in the process unknown to the owners.
He was fined a total of £72,090.65 at St. Albans Magistrates’ Court on February 25, and had threatened to appeal the judgement, which he is said to have now accepted. The news was released to The Eye Of Media.Com today, nearly two weeks after he was fined in court. Our sources said mr.Siddique’s fine and conviction was not covered by the press, adding that ”the public need to know this man is a fraud that should never be trusted in the property business”
Alex Morrison, director at Open House Estate Agents, said: “We terminated Mr Siddique’s Open House franchise back in 2016, due to his repeated failure to adhere to our strict customer care and compliance procedures.
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“However, he has illegally continued to trade in the Watford area since then, using our brand, and a number of unlawful and unethical practices came to our attention which were then reported to Watford Council. We have been working closely with the council’s environmental health team to take action against Mr Siddique and we are extremely relieved that this rogue agent has now been convicted.”
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor added: “Residents deserve a safe place to live and in cases of unlicensed houses with multiple occupation they are being put at risk with unsafe living conditions. We must do all we can to provide more support for those living in private rented accommodation in our town.
fences were multiple, all on the back of illegal renting.
His three illegal properties in Whippendell Road should have housed single families – instead Mr Siddique let each room individually creating a multiple occupancy, unbeknown to the owners.
He also failed to safeguard the properties against fire risks and ensure a safe escape route in case of a fire.
Environmental Health officers also uncovered health and safety breaches including a blocked and overflowing
Mr Siddique also failed to provide gas and electrical safety certificates.
He was fined a total of £72,090.65 at St. Albans Magistrates’ Court on February 25, including court costs and a victim surcharge.
Alex Morrison, director at Open House Estate Agents, said: “We terminated Mr Siddique’s Open House franchise back in 2016, due to his repeated failure to adhere to our strict customer care and compliance procedures.
“However, he has illegally continued to trade in the Watford area since then, using our brand, and a number of unlawful and unethical practices came to our attention which were then reported to Watford Council. We have been working closely with the council’s environmental health team to take action against Mr Siddique and we are extremely relieved that this rogue agent has now been convicted.”
Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor added: “Residents deserve a safe place to live and in cases of unlicensed houses with multiple occupation they are being put at risk with unsafe living conditions. We must do all we can to provide more support for those living in private rented accommodation in our town.
“People renting a home have the right to expect it is maintained to a decent standard and not be exploited or put at risk of harm. We work with many responsible landlords who provide great places for people to live but we will take action when a landlord fails to comply with the requirements.”
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