A landlord who let his tenants live in squalid conditions had his bid to overturn an order prohibiting him from renting out the property dismissed.

At least five people rented space from Rizwan Ahmed at 796 Fulham Road, Fulham, London, when council officers inspected the property in December 2009 and found they were treated appallingly.

The ground floor rear room was little more than a concrete cell with no floor covering, just a bed, fridge and sink.

Rizwan claimed that the room was unoccupied by the inspection revealed that there was fresh food in the fridge, clothing and other personal items in the room.

Council officers noticed that some replastering had taken place in an upstairs room but were horrified to see that the occupant’s possessions were splattered in plaster.

They also found a bathroom without heating or hot water.

The shower was in a space the size of a cupboard with no light and dangerous electrics within reach of anyone in the water. A sink was installed without hot water.

Rizwan was banned from renting out the property. He made a number of superficial improvements and appealed the council’s decision at a residential property tribunal, claiming that more remedial work could be completed while the tenants were in situ.

The appeal was dismissed and the tribunal ruled that the only way to get the property up to standard where it is was safe to live in was to keep the prohibition order in place.