London estate agency hit with massive property licensing fine

Green House Estate Agents in North London have been prosecuted and whacked with a massive fine after falling foul of property licensing rules.

The letting agency has been ordered to pay £35,000 after it failed to obtain selective licences for three private rented properties in Upper Edmonton, N18. They also failed to provide information to the council when required to do so, contravening the Housing Act 2004.

DISREPAIR

On top of the licensing offences, council officers discovered disrepair at the properties, including fire safety deficiencies, damp and a general lack of management.

In the London Borough of Enfield, selective licensing applies to all privately rented properties occupied by a single family or two sharers in 14 areas of the borough. Most Houses in Multiple Occupation also need licensing under the council’s mandatory HMO and additional licensing schemes.

CONVICTED

Green House Estate Agents were convicted for managing and having control of the three private rented properties without a licence on 24 November 2022, with the case adjourned for sentencing.

Green House Estate Agents  were fined £35,000, ordered to pay £2,348 costs and a surcharge of £2,000 at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court last month.

The prosecution of Green House Estates should be wake up call to all unscrupulous landlords.”

Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Licensing, Planning & Regulatory Services, Cllr Susan Erbil, says:“There are many law-abiding landlords in the private rented sector in the borough, and the Council is here to help and advise them to ensure their properties reach the required standards and are properly licensed.

“Unfortunately, there are also landlords who break the law by not obtaining the legally required licence to let their properties.

“The Council’s successful prosecution of Green House Estates should be wake up call to all unscrupulous landlords who do not comply with the law.”

Green House Estate Agents has not filed accounts since 30 November 2018 and Companies House lists an active proposal to strike off the company.