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A rogue landlord has been jailed for 16 weeks after illegally evicting 35 men from a three-bed property. Ilie Florin Dragusin had illegally sub-let his three-bed property in London to make extra money.
Appalling Living Conditions
When council housing officials were tipped off that the property was being sub-let, they called round to investigate. They were shocked to discover that Dragusin had stuffed every room in the property with mattresses, including the kitchen, and crammed 35 men in there. The house was so overcrowded that some of the men were forced to sleep in the garden under a tarpaulin. Meanwhile, Dragusin was enjoying a far more comfortable existence a few miles away, at his parent’s home.
Heavy Fines For Illegal Sub-Letting
Dragusin and two other so-called ‘head tenants’ were fined for allowing the other tenants to live in such squalid conditions. Brent housing officials ordered Dragusin not to change the locks on the property, as they needed time to make new living arrangements for the men. Unfortunately, Dragusin ignored four warnings. He went ahead and changed the locks, bolting the doors from the inside so that the men couldn’t access the house when they returned. He also tossed all their belongings out.
“This custodial sentence sends a strong message to anyone thinking that they can get away with illegally evicting their tenants – the punishment is prison,” said the housing chief for Brent council.
“We will help people in the private rented sector who are suffering from the actions of rogue landlords, sub-letters, and agents.”
