Sydney ‘slum lord’ convicted and fined

BY CHRISTOPHER HARRIS

With an elite team including former members of Scotland Yard and the Australian Military Police, “Illegal Accomodation Strikeforce” was always going to get results.

And last week it did, as the Landlord operating out of a Chippendale mini mart was convicted for renting out part of his shop, operating as an inner city hostel.

Mr Amr Hassan was fined $100,000 and ordered to pay $60,000 in legal costs.

In 2014, City Hub revealed a syndicate of properties were being operated out of a supermarket in Chippendale and leased to tenants illegally. Despite complaints to the City, it had failed to investigate the complaints about overcrowding from other residents.

In September last year, the City launched Illegal Accommodation Strike Force, in an effort to curb overcrowding and networks of illegal boarding houses.

In an email to constituents, the Lord Mayor said the City had ramped up efforts to shut down illegal accommodation providers.

“The team takes a multi-agency approach with NSW Police Force, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Fair Trading, the Australian Tax Office and other relevant agencies,” she said.

“Illegal, dangerous accommodation networks will not be tolerated in the city, and the people who profit from them will be prosecuted.”

Other student accommodation in the City starts at $330 for a twin share room to $554 for a studio.