BBC Watchdog: Providence Properties landlord Tariq Zaman prosecuted

[Tony]

A rogue landlord previously featured on Watchdog has been fined for flouting housing laws.

Tariq Mahmood Zaman pleaded guilty at Leeds Magistrates' Court to charges of renting out unlicensed properties.

Watchdog exposed Tariq Zaman in 2008 when the lettings agency he was a director of, Providence Properties, was refusing to refund deposits, leaving students thousands of pounds out of pocket.



Zaman had seventeen county court judgements against him but still refused to give students their money back. Using secret cameras, Watchdog revealed his complete disregard for the law. He told a tenant:

"Listen mate, getting a county court judgment doesn't mean nothing, it does not guarantee that you'll get your money back."

See the full Watchdog story:

£11,000 fine
Now Zaman and his brother Kahlid Mahmood Zaman will have to pay over £11,000 for renting out four properties in Leeds without the required multiple occupation (HMO) licences.

A spokesperson from Leeds City Council told Watchdog:

"Tariq Zaman has been named as a HMO licence holder for 18 properties owned by his family.Due to the prosecutions, the council has taken the view that he is no longer a fit and proper person and we are now taking steps to remove his licence completely."When Watchdog asked Tariq Zaman to comment he told us, "I'm not interested".



Providence Properties landlord Tariq Zaman prosecuted