A Nottingham councillor has been prosecuted and fined thousands of pounds for an offence relating to a property she managed.
Faith Gakanje-Ajala, who represents Bilborough for the Nottingham People’s Alliance opposition group, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on 6 May, charged with failure to licence a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
The property is in Darnal Close, between Bestwood and Top Valley, according to court records.
She was prosecuted by Nottingham City Council’s Safer Housing Team and was found guilty in her absence.
She was fined £7,500 and ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge and costs of £1,037.50.
Gakanje-Ajala quit the Labour Party on 30 October to join the new Nottingham People’s Alliance (NPA) group, which is headed by Cllr Kirsty L Jones.
She has been contacted for comment.
Cllr Jones, the leader of the NPA said: “Nottingham People’s Alliance affirms that all renters have the right to live in safe, secure homes, and that all landlords must comply fully with their legal obligations.
“On Monday evening, we were made aware of the legal action taken against Councillor Faith Gakanje-Ajala in her personal capacity, and of her stated intention to appeal the decision.
“To ensure due process, Nottingham People’s Alliance Group has taken the decision to suspend Councillor Gakanje-Ajala from the group pending further investigation.”
The council’s current leader, Cllr Neghat Khan (Lab), said: “This prosecution sends a clear message that no one is above the law, regardless of status. Nottingham People’s Alliance councillor Faith Gakanje-Ajala was elected to represent some of our most vulnerable residents; instead, she has been exploiting them and has now been prosecuted as a rogue landlord.
“In January this year, Nottingham People’s Alliance councillor Gakanje-Ajala moved a motion to the council seeking to challenge housing insecurity and access to safer housing for some of the most vulnerable people in Nottingham, including those seeking asylum in the city.
“She did so whilst being investigated and ultimately prosecuted as a rogue landlord operating an illegal HMO.
“It is simply indefensible for Nottingham People’s Alliance to present themselves as defenders of renters while one of their own councillors is found to be operating as a rogue landlord.
“Rogue landlords such as Nottingham People’s Alliance councillor Faith Gakanje-Ajala are usually prosecuted for unsafe accommodation, overcrowding, exploiting vulnerable people, and not fulfilling their legal obligations as a landlord.
“This prosecution demonstrates her disregard for her legal and moral obligations, worse still given that she is a councillor, the very person our most vulnerable people go to for help and support.”
Executive member for planning and housing, Cllr Jay Hayes (Lab), added:
“The council takes a zero-tolerance approach to rogue landlords in Nottingham and will not hesitate to prosecute those who break the law, even when they are people in positions of power.
“This includes renting out properties without the required licence, providing unsafe or substandard housing, failing to carry out essential repairs, allowing HMO properties to become overcrowded, and ignoring legal improvement notices.”
