Rent to Rent Operator Prosecuted and Fined

A Rent-to-Rent operator called Arthur Zurvskij has been found guilty by Willesden Magistrates Court of illegally sub-letting a five bedroom house to seven tenants.

The owner of the property, who lived in the United States and had legally handed over control of his property to Ludlow Thompson, believed that the property was being rented out to a single family. Willesden Magistrates Court heard that Zurvskij had not sought written permission from the landlord to let the house to more than one household.

Instead of securing a House in Multiple Occupation licence from Brent council, Mr Zurvskij (a director of Skyline Property Management) which he had subsequently changed to to Enox UK Ltd, had rented the property and then illegally sublet it to seven individuals. He was ordered to pay £2,250 in fines while his company Enox UK Ltd, had a £8,000 fine.

The Council enforcement officer said: “Breaching the law on HMO is very serious. If found guilty, the landlord or person in charge of the property is left with a criminal record. The potential fines are now unlimited.”

Brent Council maintains a zero tolerance policy which includes prosecuting tenants who illegally sublet.