Asian landlord challenges London council over ‘unlawful’ licensing rules

A British Asian leading landlord is appealing a £15,600 financial penalty imposed by Waltham Forest Council, arguing that the borough’s licensing demands are unlawful and that he has been unfairly targeted as an individual rather than through the corporate entity responsible for the property.

The Council has taken financial penalty action against Asad Chaudhary’s ZAS Ventures Limited for £15600 on an assured shorthand tenancy dated 27 December 2023 on the allegation that it was let without a license; it is is also demanding £39000 from Chaudhary’s Interface Properties Limited for renting out two properties for the same alleged violations; and Chaudhary’s Lets Move Properties Limited for the amount of £19500.

Asad Chaudhary, director of Interface Properties Limited and one of leading British Asian landlords operating in East London, has filed an appeal in the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) challenging the Council’s decision to impose the penalties for allegedly operating rental properties without valid selective licence under Part 3 of the Housing Act 2004.

The case is one of a king and has sparked fears of discrimination, stereotyping, authoritarian overreach and harsh and disproportionate use of the housing laws, according to the legal circles.

The properties in question, in Waltham Forest area, , was let to a tenants mainly in the middle of 2023. The Council claims the properties falls within a designated selective licensing area and therefore requires five-year licences. The designation expired on 30 April 2025, yet the Council demands landlords pay for full five-year licences — beyond the statutory designation period.

Iain Colville KC, lawyer acting for Asad Chaudhary, has told the court that not Mr Asad Chaudhary but his companies were responsible for applying for the licences. “The Council’s attempt to pierce the corporate veil is legally unsound.”

Asad Chaudhary and Waltham Forest Council are also involved in a legal dispute over the operation of its licensing scheme.

On 15 March 2024, Mr. Chaudhary, on behalf of Interface Properties and Zas Ventures, issued a judicial review claim against the Council, challenging the legality of forcing landlords to apply and pay for a full five-year licence despite the designation expiring in less than that period.

In response to the challenge, the Council agreed on 5 June 2024 to suspend enforcement action, including financial penalties, pending the outcome of the judicial review. While the High Court ultimately refused permission to proceed with the claim in September 2024, an agreement was reached that Interface Properties would submit licence applications for all properties, including the Leytonstone flat, by 1 October 2024.