Landlord fined £75,000 for illegal holiday lets

The flats at a property on Grove Road in North Finchley were used by large groups for parties

A landlord who illegally let out two flats for short-term rental bookings has been fined £75,000.

George Nathanel advertised the flats in North Finchley, north London, on Airbnb and Booking.com, Willesden Magistrates' Court heard.

He was issued a notice by Barnet Council in November 2023 to cease use of the properties following complaints by neighbours, who requested an investigation into a potential breach of planning regulations.

The flats were booked via the two sites by large groups who often used them for parties, the council said. Victim statements were shared in court, including from a neighbour who described what happened as "stressful and devastating".

'Attentive and responsive host'

The short-term lets had a "detrimental impact on his life, his work and mental health", the statement said.

Evidence provided by the prosecution showed at least 220 days of occupancy across the two flats in the first 10 months of 2024.

Nathanel failed to appear at court hearings, claiming he was living in Russia with his children and was awaiting an operation.

He sought in early correspondence to shift any blame on to what he described as "long-term tenants", the council said.

Nathanel also claimed he was unaware of any short-term rentals - but was described in Airbnb reviews as "an amazing, attentive and responsive host".

Evidence of website listings were shown in court, and booking ads remain live today.

Councillor Ross Houston said: "This is a great result for the neighbours whose lives were made a misery by the illegal letting of these flats on Airbnb and Booking.com.

"The prosecution and huge fine highlights the seriousness of the case and will be a strong deterrent to other rogue landlords from breaking the rules in the borough of Barnet."

Nathanel was sentenced on 26 June for failing to comply with the requirements of a Breach of Condition Notice. He was also ordered to pay council costs of £5,400 and a victim surcharge of £2,000.