A landlord employing a false identity to circumvent legal oversight has been hit with a staggering fine totalling £485,000 after authorities discovered the illicit rental of a substantial shed converted into five separate flats.
Yehuda Levhar, residing on Sudbury Court Road in Sudbury, faced repercussions after previously admitting guilt in 2021 for renting out a residence in the same location as two flats without requisite planning permissions, as disclosed at the Hendon Magistrates Court.
The alarm was raised in 2013 by vigilant neighbours in Harrow Road, Sudbury, who alerted Brent Council about the property. Following an investigation, council officers issued a planning enforcement notice to cease the exploitation of the premises as seven flats. Despite the directive, the landlord failed to comply.
During inquiries, tenants referred to their landlord as “Barry Jacobs.” However, efforts to locate “Barry” were fruitless until 2016, when authorities could not verify his identity. Subsequently, the property was registered under the name of Yehuda Levhar in the land registry.
After a pursuit lasting until 2020, officers finally located and brought Mr. Levhar to court. Owing to the complexity of the case, a successful prosecution was attained this week after three years of court hearings. Judge Sherrard KC levied penalties, including a £60,000 expense to the council, a £1,000 fine to the court, and a substantial £424,000 confiscation order directed towards the government, reflective of Levhar’s accrued illegal profits over several years.
Councillor Harbi Farah, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities and Public Protection, expressed firm condemnation: “Yehuda Levhar has felt the force of the law for choosing to rip off tenants, house them in appalling conditions, and ignore planning regulations. This sort of exploitation is illegal, and we will root out every last landlord in Brent who acts similarly.”
Farah emphasized the council’s commitment to leveraging recently granted borough-wide licensing to elevate renters’ living standards in Brent while providing clear directives to landlords, ensuring the protection and security of tenants.
The substantial fine imposed serves as a stern warning, signalling Brent Council’s resolute stance against exploitative practices within the housing sector, advocating for the fair treatment of tenants and stringent adherence to regulations.