A landlord’s “deliberate negligence” put his tenants at risk.

Barnet Council prosecuted Girisha Gunaratna of Ranmoor Gardens, Harrow, for failing to obtain a license for two houses in The Burroughs, Hendon.

Found guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court, Gunaratna must now pay £19,506.90.

Gunaratna failed to keep objects away from escape routes, faulty fire doors and not disclosing copies of his gas and electricity safety certificates.

Chairman of Barnet Council’s Housing Committee, Cllr Gabriel Rozenberg said: “We have zero tolerance for unscrupulous landlords who put their tenants at risk by failing to license Houses in Multiple Occupation.

“I am pleased that we succeeded in bringing a prosecution against this individual.

“It will serve as a clear warning to landlords in Barnet who fail to take their responsibilities seriously. “We are clamping down on deliberate negligence and will make sure that any cases are dealt with swiftly.

“Our message to tenants facing rogue landlords is simple - we are on your side.”