Big council hits HMO landlord couple with £18,000 fine
Landlords Colin and Susan Woodward have been given an £18,000 fine by Dagenham Council after they refused to stop using their property as an HMO.
Colin and Susan Woodward have been found guilty of running an illegal HMO and fined £18,000 after they continued using it despite being issued with repeated warnings by Barking & Dagenham Council.
The Woodwards purchased the property at 414 Dagenham Road (pictured) in June 2016 and in August 2019 they applied for an HMO licence, which was granted in September of that year.
The Planning Enforcement Team, though, later informed the Woodwards that planning permission was required and a retrospective application was submitted and refused in January 2020.
Appeals dismissed
They were then served with a Planning Enforcement Notice, which required them to cease using the property as an HMO and return the property to a single dwelling. Despite appealing to the Planning Inspectorate, both appeals were dismissed.
The Woodwards were given until May 2021 to comply but in November of that year, the council discovered that the property was still being used as an HMO.
We are committed to ensuring that all properties within Barking and Dagenham comply with planning regulations.”
In late 2022, the pair were then summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court where they pleaded not guilty.
By August 2024, they were back in court where they changed their pleas to guilty and were each fined £6,000 and £3,000 in costs to Barking & Dagenham Council – a total of £18,000.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We are committed to ensuring that all properties within Barking and Dagenham comply with planning regulations. The actions taken against Mr. and Mrs. Woodward demonstrate our dedication to upholding these standards.
“Despite multiple warnings and opportunities to rectify the situation, they continued to ignore our Enforcement Team which left them with no choice but to pursue legal action.
“We hope this case serves as a reminder that planning regulations are in place for a reason and must be adhered to.”
Stupid, draconian policy and punishment: the landlords were providing much needed housing for individuals who must obviously have been content. They were doing the community a service. What difference does it make if they do HMO? It doesn’t cause a health hazard nor a nuisance. If they rented out to an antisocial family that would be ok would it?
And where would the people renting rooms go? There is an obvious need. Would the council house them? And in 5 separate flats????
Doctrinaire fascistic behaviour by those who must be obeyed.
In my street there are 2 HMOs near me. No permission! Delightful people!!! Planners are often stupid!