An agent acting on behalf of an owner who squeezed more than 20 people, including three children and a 10-month old baby into a severely overcrowded Wembley property has been brought to justice.
Meet Valand, the property manager and licence holder of 50 Bassingham Road, allowed more than twice the number of people permitted under the property's licence to live there.
After tenants raised concerns with the council, officers investigated and uncovered a catalogue of serious problems, including a cockroach infestation, fire-safety breaches, and inadequate kitchen facilities, including broken stoves and missing doors.
The court found that the failings amounted to Category 1 harm, the highest level of housing hazard reflecting the seriousness of the risks faced by those living there, particularly around fire safety. Mr Valand was convicted of seven offences and fined £40,000, with a further £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs.
The punishment didn’t stop there. Vispap Sarkari, who managed the property and rent collections, was also convicted. A detailed investigation uncovered multiple aliases and associates linked to him, including Mr Sanjay Patel who was recently given a five-year banning order, along with evidence of illegal activity.
The court heard that Mr Sarkari failed to meet basic safety and maintenance standards, including problems with fire alarms, fire safety equipment, escape routes, a damaged porch door and cracked bathroom fixtures.
As he was considered a repeat offender with previous housing offences, he was fined £50,000, with a further £2,000 victim surcharge and £3,183.85 in prosecution costs. Following his conviction for housing offences in March 2026 and these further findings, he is now eligible for a banning order.
