‘Criminal’ landlord trio hit with huge £450k HMO fine

Three HMO landlords have been found guilty in court of running eight unlicensed properties and have collectively been fined £452,796 for significant licensing and safety breaches by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).

The fines relate to HMO properties located across Northampton, which had, the council says, serious fire safety failings, inadequate tenant information, and poor property maintenance.

The investigation began in 2019 after safety concerns were raised about the trio’s properties in Obelisk Rise (pictured), Aynho Crescent, Hinton Road, Chalcombe Avenue, Kingsland Avenue, and Culworth Crescent.

Serious failings

Council officers entered the premises with a Housing Warrant back in November 2019 to gather evidence.

When the case was finally brought to Northampton Magistrates Court in October, District Judge highlighted Faiz Hameed of Pitsford as the “controlling mind” in the enterprise.

He was found to have ‘disregarded essential housing standards, endangering tenants through inadequate licensing, fire safety violations, and poor maintenance.’

Hameed was given a £312,000 fine, along with £23,250 costs towards the investigation and a victim surcharge of £181.

These penalties reflect the severity of the offences committed.”

Fellow landlord Ahmed Saeed, who is based in Northampton, was fined £34,000, with £13,675 costs plus the £181 victim surcharge.

The remaining landlord, Victoria Cebotari, also of Northampton, was fined £60,000, with £9,328 costs and the victim surcharge.

Councillor Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing, says: “Our Private Sector Housing Team has worked tirelessly to ensure tenants have access to safe, secure, and compliant homes, and these penalties reflect the severity of the offences committed.

“We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those who disregard the law.”

Read more about fines for agents and landlords.