Unsafe conditions uncovered at Hyde Park Gate
A landlord and his property company have been ordered to pay £63,000 in fines and costs after a prosecution brought by Kensington and Chelsea Council over an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO) at 36 Hyde Park Gate. The 22-room property, in one of central London’s most expensive streets, was found to contain a catalogue of serious safety failings that placed residents at risk.
The case centres on Mohammed Rasool and Blackstone Properties Management Ltd, who were taken to court following a tenant’s complaint in 2020. Subsequent inspections in 2021 established that the HMO was operating without the legally required licence and revealed multiple fire and electrical hazards affecting the building and its occupants.
Fire and electrical risks detailed
Council officers documented a series of basic protections that were missing or compromised, including defective escape measures and exposed wiring. The conditions, affecting a building housing 22 tenants, were described as posing significant risk to life.
- Damaged or ineffective fire doors undermining safe escape routes
- Insufficient fire separation between individual bedrooms
- Lack of fire-resistant protection in the boiler room and lobby
- Covered or obstructed fire alarms
- Burnt-out and loose electrical sockets
In a statement after the verdict, the council’s lead member for resident services, planning and enforcement, Cllr Johnny Thalassites, said:
“Mr Rasool and Blackstone Properties Management Limited were given opportunities to put things right, but the court found they chose not to. We will continue to take action where landlords fail to follow the rules, because everyone in Kensington and Chelsea deserves a safe place to live.”
Prosecution history and retrial outcome
This is not the first time the address and its operators have faced the courts. An earlier prosecution brought in relation to the same property resulted in a £500,000 penalty approximately three years ago. That ruling was challenged and led to a retrial, which concluded several weeks ago with the current outcome of £63,000 in fines and costs.
Public court records and contemporaneous reporting have previously referenced critical judicial assessments of Rasool’s conduct and coverage by national media. Companies House filings also indicate that Blackstone Properties Management Limited lists Rasool as a director.
What this means for renters and landlords
The case underlines the borough’s stance on basic housing safety and legal compliance in the private rented sector. HMOs—properties where multiple households share facilities—require proper licensing to ensure that fire precautions, electrics and building layout meet minimum standards. The risks identified at Hyde Park Gate illustrate what can go wrong when controls are ignored in high-density homes.
For tenants, the message is that hazardous conditions and licensing concerns can be raised with the local authority, which has powers to investigate and prosecute. For landlords and managing agents, the outcome serves as a reminder that operating without an HMO licence and neglecting core safety measures can lead to significant financial penalties and reputational damage.
Key timeline
| Event | When |
|---|---|
| Tenant complaint brings property to council’s attention | 2020 |
| Inspections identify unlicensed operation and hazards | 2021 |
| Initial prosecution linked to same address | About three years ago |
| Retrial concludes; new penalties imposed | Several weeks ago |
| Total fines and costs now ordered | £63,000 |
Wider context in Kensington and Chelsea
While many landlords in the borough meet their obligations, the council has repeatedly said it will pursue enforcement where standards fall short. The Hyde Park Gate case is a stark example of the risks in high-value neighbourhoods where properties are subdivided and let to multiple households. For residents, particularly those living in HMOs, clear and functioning fire precautions—doors, alarms, compartmentation—and safe electrics are non-negotiable safeguards.
The council’s action also sits against a wider London backdrop where housing authorities continue to focus on compliance in a pressured rental market. Ensuring that licensing is in place and that urgent safety work is completed remains central to protecting people who have little control over the condition of the homes they rent.
