On 10 December 2014, it was Mr J Patel who warned the landlord’s solicitor in writing during disclosure process in clear words “The invoices we numbered with red colour from 1 to 11 have never before been seen by us or our clients. Our clients believe that majority of the invoices are forged documents and they request that you to take them off the trial bundle. However, if you insist on keeping them in the bundle then; our clients will have no choice but to report your client for deception and forgery as none of these invoices ever existed or were ever disclosed to them. The invoices are dated 2002 and the pages of those invoices look fairly new.”
Following the above incident, our clients instructed us to issue a private prosecution against the landlord for committing fraud. The landlord created fraudulent invoices to claim service charge.
Initially, the above matter was heard before the Willesden Magistrates Court. The landlord pleaded “not guilty” and requested his case should be heard by jury before the Harrow Crown Court.
On the first day the case was presented to the jury with brief facts.
Finally, on 2 March 2017, the landlord on second day of the trial he admitted that he is “guilty” on count 1 which is “produced invoices for works and services, which to his knowledge were or might be misleading, false or deceptive in a material particular in that they purported to show that works and services had been carried out by independent contractors, when such works and services had been carried out by himself”.
If you believe you or your community is deceived by your landlord (or anyone) who is managing the property (or trust) you can contact us and we will investigate your concerns and will assist you to take private prosecution.