Convictions over 'unacceptable conditions' in Dagenham home

Both are responsible for letting a two-bedroom flat in Dagenham, where a Barking and Dagenham enforcement officer found a number of issues.

Following a complaint, an enforcement officer visited the unlicensed property in Butteridges Close.

Damp and mould were found throughout the property by officers (Image: Barking and Dagenham Council)

Barking and Dagenham Council said the issues included there being only one working heater, no smoke detection alarms and broken lights throughout the property.

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Officers reported a severe infestation of bed bugs and a broken front door with locks so old it was unable to secure the property.

According to the council, the officer also found issues in the kitchen where all the cupboards were in disrepair and the oven was not working.

Officers found broken lights throughout the property (Image: Barking and Dagenham Council)

The plug for the oven was poorly positioned and secured with duct tape, which the council said would have increased the risk of a fire.

Damp and mould were also reported throughout the property, especially in and around the bathroom window and on the ceiling.

Landlord Wilson Kehinde Gbadegesin, 64, of Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath, and Phil Davies Estate Agents, of Church Road, Leyton, were issued with multiple notices to take action and resolve the issues.

These were ignored and no changes were made, according to the council.

The case was taken to Barkingside Magistrates Court on February 21 and both were found guilty in their absence of offences including failing to comply with notices and not licensing the property.

The judge ordered Gbadegesin to pay a total of £11,223.50 and Phil Davies Estate Agents was ordered to pay £11,000.

Both fines must be paid within 28 days of the guilty verdicts.

Officers said the locks on the front door were so old they couldn't secure the property properly (Image: Barking and Dagenham Council)

Councillor Syed Ghani, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: "Nobody should be living in such unacceptable conditions, and I’m really pleased that someone had the guts to report them to us.

"We don’t stand for this sort of behaviour from landlords and will continue to come down hard on anyone who refuses to provide quality living conditions for their tenants.

"I hope these fines send a warning to any other landlords who are not obeying our rules."