Notorious Stamford Hill landlord fined for illegal ‘garage’ – with bell and ‘fake’ door
Arthur Davidson and the 'monstrosity' behind him. Picture: Dieter Perry - Credit: Archant
A rogue Stamford Hill landlord dubbed the “neighbour from hell” has finally been prosecuted over an illegal office built in his back garden.
The 'garage'. Picture: Dieter Perry - Credit: Archant
Eurorose Properties, one of 41 companies Israel Moskowitz heads up, had permission to build a garage at the rear of a house in Leadale Road – but instead erected a two-storey structure, complete with doorbell.
In a possible attempt to disguise the fact, a “fake” garage door was installed, but the whole thing will now either have to come down or be modified.
Two years after Hackney Council slapped Eurorose with an enforcement notice, the firm admitted breaching it at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Friday, and was fined £1,500.
It was also ordered to foot the £950 bill for the town hall’s legal costs and pay a victim surcharge of £150.
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Moskowitz is no stranger to controversy. In 2013 he was accused in Parliament of “playing the system” over a dispute with leaseholders in Plymouth.
“He’s the neighbour from hell. Seriously,” said Arthur Davidson, who lives next door. “I don’t even know where to start. My mother passed away two-and-a-half years ago. They used to wait till I went to the hospital to see her to take out the fence and do their work.
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“It’s not a garage – you can’t drive in. It’s got a fake door. It’s even got a doorbell. He uses it for an office.
“It’s preoccupied us neighbours since 2013. The council don’t seem to know their own guidelines. You can’t build more than 2.5m high and it’s 5m – I measured it. It blocks the sun, it’s a monstrosity.”
The council has said it will monitor the situation and could take more legal action if required. Eurorose has a choice of demolishing the building or rebuilding it in line with “permitted development”, or as a garage.
The court was told work would be completed shortly and had already started.
