A Gateshead landlord has been ordered to pay more than £42,000 after operating an unlicensed and unsafe HMO where council officers discovered a series of serious fire safety and management failings.

Gateshead Council issued two financial penalties totalling £42,300 for the three-storey property in the Windmill Hills area, which was occupied by seven people from six different households.

The penalties were for operating an unlicensed HMO and failing to properly manage the property and protect tenants’ safety.

Fire hazards

During an inspection, the council’s officers found the property had a faulty and inadequate fire alarm system, no emergency lighting, defective fire doors and obstructed escape routes and bedroom and exit doors required keys to open them from the inside.

There was also a lack of fire safety checks, inspections and records, alongside what the council describes as a “failure to respond to requests for information and documents to support the investigation”.

Gateshead Council adds that the property had been operating as an HMO “for a significant period” without the legally required licence.

Landlords have a legal duty to make sure the homes they rent out are safe and properly managed.”

Samantha Allcott (pictured), Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities at Gateshead Council, says: “Landlords have a legal duty to make sure the homes they rent out are safe and properly managed.

“In this case, the conditions found at the property were unacceptable and could have put tenants at serious risk, especially in the event of a fire.”

The landlord paid the penalties within 28 days and received a 15% discount under the council’s enforcement policy. Gateshead Council said the money will be reinvested in further private rented sector enforcement work.