Tenants use Gumtree to shame Easton landlord

Tenants in Easton are uniting against a landlord accused of letting damp and mouldy homes – many of which are paid for with rent subsidised by Bristol City Council.

Details of Mushtaq Ahmed’s properties came to light when one of his former tenants posted an advert on Gumtree warning against prospective renters of 94 Chelsea Road.

More tenants and former tenants have come forward since, a number of them speaking out about experiences including alleged mice infestations, alleged rusted electrical sockets and alleged holes in floors.

Ahmed denies he lets inadequate rental properties and says he deals with all concerns that his tenants have. There is nothing to suggest that Ahmed has done anything illegal. Agents Sure Move Bristol said they are not responsible for the property.

However, Bristol24/7 understands that the house on Chelsea Road is now under investigation by the city council’s environmental health and housing departments.

Community tenants’ rights campaign group Acorn have also been contacted by 10 tenants from five houses and flats in Easton since 2014.

Ahmed argues that the flat has had a full refurbishment since the complaints came to light:

Ahmed, who also owns and runs Iqbal Textiles on Stapleton Road, owns a number of properties which he manages through Sure Move Bristol.

He was named at number 19 on a list of top receivers of rent through housing benefit in Bristol. The city council paid him directly £79,575 last year:

The landlord recently advertised a two bedroom flat on Chelsea Road on Gumtree for £795 per month.

But a counter advert by former tenant Roxane Evans warned renters away from the property and landlord. The original advert has since been deleted.

Posting photographs of what appeared to be mould and holes in the floor, the former tenant claimed the flat was “infested” with mice, electrically unsafe and damp. She said: “I had the worst experience I’ve ever had living in Bristol.”

Evans told Bristol24/7 she posted the advert after feeling let down. “I wrote the ad, to warn others. It’s really difficult on this side of the fence.

“There are a lot similar situations out there and there’s not a lot you can do about it when you’re renting and in a vulnerable position.”

Zosia Cross, 30, a teacher, is also a former tenant at the same flat. She told Bristol24/7 of creeping mould, smells coming from a hole in the drains, and leaking toilet cisterns and taps.

Ahmed told Bristol24/7 he took his tenants’ concerns seriously and attempts to address all their concerns. He added that Evans had left the property as she broke the tenancy agreement by bringing a dog to live in the house.

Bristol24/7 visited 94 Chelsea Road posing as a prospective tenant and found recent work and redecoration had been carried out.

Responding to claims that many of his properties were in a state of disrepair, Ahmed said: “That’s rubbish. If there are any problems they get dealt with. Over time problems may arise and they are dealt with.”

Nick Ballard from Acorn told Bristol24/7 that they have been contacted by 10 tenants of five properties belonging to Ahmed in Easton, an area which Ballard added is known for renting issues.

“Problems we’ve dealt with are usually around damp and electrical safety,” he said, noting that the council have a responsibility to ensure the properties which are paid for through housing benefit are up to scratch.

“Around the physical state of the homes we say the council doesn’t take a strong enough role with landlords,” he said.

Bristol City Council said they are now taking a more “proactive” approach to the rental market after they extended a discretionary licensing scheme to Easton to deal with rogue landlords.

They would not be drawn on the the specifics of Mushtaq Ahmed or his property on Chelsea Road. But a spokesperson said: “The council investigates unsafe houses and flats every day, but usually it relies upon tenants reporting poor conditions.”

This means that some landlords can get away with not complying with the law because their tenants don’t come forward.

“The council actively encourages tenants to come forward if they have concerns about the conditions of their rented properties, which they have not been able to resolve with their landlord,” the council spokesperson said.

“We can then investigate properties and take appropriate action when necessary.”

The spokesperson added: “The private rented sector in Bristol is growing rapidly and therefore it is not possible for us to be able to inspect every property where housing benefit is paid. That is why we need people to come forward and make a complaint when they have an issue with their tenancy.

“We work closely with Acorn and we encourage private tenants to become involved with them. If for any reason tenants feel unable to report unresolved concerns direct to the council then Acorn or advice agencies in the city may be able to help.”

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