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Regional secretary with the National Education Union
Hackney renters handed over £260,000 after taking action against billionaire landlord
Private renters from across England gather in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, for the Renters Day of Action, demanding urgent reform to protect renters as they warn that each day of delay could see another household forced onto the streets, March 21, 2023

TENANTS in east London have secured more than £260,000 in rent repayments after taking their billionaire landlord to court.

Current and former residents of Olympic House and Simpson House in Hackney took firms owned by John Christodoulou to a tribunal for operating unlicensed houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

The lack of licencing left residents vulnerable to hazardous conditions including fire risks due to inadequate safety measures, said London Renters’ Union (LRU), representing the tenants.

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