Dr Shantha Godagama (pictured), 78, is being sued for £100,000 amid claims he charged disabled tenant Raymond Hanson, 52, to live in a cold, rat-plagued 'shed' in Cricklewood, north London
A Harley Street acupuncturist is being sued for £100,000 amid claims he charged a disabled tenant tens of thousands of pounds to live in a cold, rat-plagued 'shed' in the garden of his family's £1m London house.
Father and daughter are trying to evict Mr Hanson for non-payment of rent, but he is counterclaiming, alleging that the doctor should pay around £100,000 damages over the 'appallingly poor' flat as it is 'not fit for human habitation.' Mr Hanson's barrister, Nick Bano, told Recorder Jonathan Gavaghan at Mayors and City County Court that 'for about seven years, he has been living in appallingly poor quality accommodation, let to him by Dr Shantha Godagama.So-called 'beds-in-sheds' are sub-par housing - often found in sheds, garages or shelters - which are prevalent in London due to the lack of sufficient quality accommodation.
Mr Hanson is a trained chef, originally from Birmingham, but has been unemployed for several years and registered disabled with several severe health conditions. But Mr Bano told the judge that the 'garden flat' is actually a brick-built 'bed-in-shed' behind the main house, which itself has been converted into a 'house in multiple occupation,' comprising eight flats.
'The kitchen is unusable, the electrical system is dangerous, there is a rat infestation, and the decorations and fixtures are generally in a very poor state. 'There is no sink or hot water, which means the defendant washes with a kettle, but this poses difficulties because the electrics are in a poor state.''He contracted for a dwelling that was fit for human habitation. That is the most basic element of the contract,' he said.
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