A serious criminal investigation has been launched in London against a billionaire landlord who owns Fountain House — a luxury apartment block located near the residences of Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan and Pakistan’s Sharif family.

 

Tarique Ghaffur , a former top official at Scotland Yard, has reportedly confirmed that he is privately investigating Asif Aziz, who owns Fountain House through his company, Parkgate Aspen. This exclusive property is situated on Park Lane, close to the Dorchester Hotel, and contains around 80 high-end apartments.

 

Ghaffur stated, “We are collecting evidence for a criminal case related to Asif Aziz and his management company. The investigation began after several complaints from residents and based on the serious concerns raised, a criminal probe is now underway.”

 

Residents of Fountain House, many of whom are wealthy millionaires, have accused Aziz’s company of charging unfair service fees and failing to provide proper services. Some have already taken the matter to civil court.

 

Asif Aziz, who refers to himself as “Mr Mayfair” and “Mr West End,” is known for owning hundreds of luxury properties across London. He also runs a charity called the Aziz Foundation. However, his real estate practices have sparked controversy in the past.

 

He has been criticized by Private Eye for using offshore companies in the Isle of Man to secretly purchase properties in London and for converting community spaces, such as pubs, into upscale apartments.

 

In 2017, he told a court that his wife of 14 years was not legally married to him in an attempt to avoid sharing his £1.1 billion fortune. The couple later reached a settlement.

 

In 2020, The Times dubbed him “the meanest landlord in Britain” after his poor treatment of tenants during the pandemic.

 

In 2022, Novara Media criticized him again for buying nurseries and bars and converting them into luxury housing. Aziz later issued legal threats to the media outlet, calling the article defamatory.

 

In late 2024, his company Criterion Capital made headlines again when the iconic Prince Charles Cinema claimed that Aziz’s team was pressuring them to pay higher rent and had inserted an unfair break clause into their lease. More than 115,000 people signed a petition in support of the cinema.

 

This year, in 2025, further reports have emerged accusing Aziz’s housing brand “Dstrkt” of poor maintenance and vermin infestations, despite rising rents. He also allegedly paid £150,000 to settle charges related to running an unlicensed Forrest Gump-themed shrimp restaurant in Piccadilly Circus.

 

The report by Murtaza Ali Shah (The News / Geo) also notes that Golfrate Holdings (Angola) Lda, a company linked to Aziz, is under U.S. sanctions and listed as a “specially designated national” (SDN) by the U.S. government.