A north London landlord has been fined £75,000 after being found guilty of illegally renting out two flats on Airbnb and Booking.com. George Nathanel, director of Zenobia Properties, was prosecuted by Barnet Council for breaching planning conditions.
The flats on Grove Road, North Finchley, had planning permission for use as a single household only, but evidence showed at least 220 days of short-term occupancy across both properties in the first ten months of 2024. Council rules limit such rentals to 90 days per year without planning permission.
Neighbours had complained about noise disturbances, with one describing the short-term lets as “stressful and devastating” and saying they had a “detrimental impact on his life, his work, and mental health”. Nathanel, who claimed to be living in Russia with his children, did not attend court hearings and initially denied knowledge of the short-term rentals, but Airbnb reviews referred to him as an “amazing, attentive, and responsive host”.
Nathanel was sentenced on 26 June 2025, found guilty of failing to comply with a Breach of Condition Notice. He was ordered to pay a £75,000 fine, £5,400 in council costs, and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
Cllr Ross Houston, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, said: “We gave Mr Nathanel ample opportunity to stop using the properties as short term rentals, but were left with no alternative but to take him to court when he didn’t stop. This is a great result for the neighbours whose lives were made a misery.”
