Two men have been ordered to pay almost £8,000 for renting out flats in a property in East Mount Street, E1, in defiance of regulations designed to keep tenants safe.

A Prohibition Order came into force in September 2015 prohibiting the East Mount Street premises from being used for residential purposes. This came after an inspection by an Environmental Health Officer uncovered serious hazards under Housing Health and Safety Rating System.

In January 2017 an officer from the council’s Council Tax team emailed Environmental Health and Trading Standards with information indicating the property was once again being occupied. A Planning Enforcement Notice was issued in February 2017 relating to breaches of planning regulations at the property. One of the breaches related to the conversion of the upper floors of the premises from one large multi-occupied flat to six self-contained studio flats. The notice suggested that major alterations had been made to the premises.

Council officers found that at least three of serious hazards listed on the Prohibition Order had not been addressed and the property should not have been occupied.

John Biggs, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “The Council takes the safety of all our residents very seriously. Our housing officers work with landlords to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and we will always look to prosecute those that fail to comply with their duties.”