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.

The legal battle began during the pandemic in 2020, when, according to LRU, Mr Christodoulou told residents they could use money saved on buying lunches to pay their rent in full.

In a previous rent repayment case involving the same group of flats, Martin Rodger KC said: “The landlord’s business practices involved a systematic or institutional neglect of regulatory requirements.”

After securing victory, 46 residents from 15 different flats were awarded £263,555 combined.

“This case shows how the law is rigged against renters,” said campaign spokesperson Jordan Osserman. “Christodoulou makes millions off our rent while flouting the law and cutting corners on safety.”

“But even when we win in court, landlords like Christodoulou can game the system to avoid paying up.”

According to LRU, tenants have now discovered that Mr Christodoulou is attempting to liquidate the companies against the judgments.

They say he transferred ownership of the properties from one company to another within his corporate group at a large loss or undervalue.

Member of Somerford Grove Renters Marc Sutton said: “These tactics highlight how wealthy landlords manipulate corporate structures to avoid accountability while tenants suffer the consequences."

Yianis Group, the real estate firm headed by Mr Christodoulou, has been contacted for comment.