The agent, based in Edmonton in the London borough of Enfield, operated 3 unlicensed properties in the area and did not attend court for the sentencing this month after being found guilty in November 2022 of failing to obtain selective licenses for the properties.

The council was awarded costs of £2,348 and a surcharge was imposed on the agent, Green House Estate Agents Ltd, of "£2000 for each prosecution".

The agent had also failed to provide required information to the council when officers investigated the company "as part of Enfield Council's Additional and Selective Licensing and enforcement work". It was also found that the 3 properties were in a state of disrepair which included "fire safety deficiencies, damp and a general lack of management."

Cllr. Susan Erbil, Cabinet Member for Licensing, Planning and Regulatory Services, said "There are many law-abiding landlords in the private rented sector in the borough, and the council is here to help and advise them to ensure that their properties reach the required standards and are properly licensed .... The council's successful prosecution of Green House Estates should be a wake up call to all unscrupulous landlords ..."

Oddly, the previous name registered with Companies House for Green House Estates Ltd was Holloway Kebab Ltd and there is an "Active Proposal" to strike the estate agent from the Companies House register.