Environmental officers described a home rented out by a rogue Hendon landlord as "a death trap".

Officers visited the house, in Finchley Lane, Hendon, after a concerned neighbour contacted Barnet Council.

The ceiling in the kitchen had collapsed, a mattress was used to cover a manhole, piles of rubbish were left outside and the shower was being used to wash kitchen crockery.

Housing manager Shamal Najim failed to appear at Willesden Magistrates Court in September – but was fined a total of £17,000 on November 12.

BDB Developments Limited, the owners of the house, were also fined £16,000 as they had converted the property into bedsits without applying for planning permission.

There were six adults living in the house – including four children and a nine-month-old baby.

Barnet Council’s officers also found walls in the shower room in serious disrepair, defective smoke detectors and flammable materials stored in a cupboard.

Councillor Tom Davey, cabinet member for housing, said: “Everyone is entitled to live in a home that is safe.

“The owner and landlord of this property felt it was appropriate to let out these bedsits to tenants in the most appalling conditions.

"They were nothing short of a death trap. Such behaviour tarnishes the reputation of landlords doing a good job.

“Barnet Council will not hesitate to take the appropriate action to ensure that poor landlords do not evade their responsibilities and put tenants at risk.”