The owner of Emoov who is also the freeholder of a property in Southend, Essex has told The Neg he’s been ‘unfairly targeted’ after being fined £21,676 for safety breaches and also operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Southend.

The two companies involved pleaded guilty at Basildon Magistrates Court to nine offences, including operating without an HMO licence and breaches of management regulations.

Nick Neale (pictured) is a director at both firms. Griffin Residential, which acquired the Emoov brand in August, manages the property, and Westpoint owns it.

The prosecution follows a September 2023 council inspection at the property ayt 115 York Road, Southend (pictured), while the agency was still trading under the Griffin Residential brand.

Inadequate

Officers found the property being operated as an unlicensed HMO with inadequate fire detection and firefighting equipment, poorly maintained communal areas and a significant build-up of waste on the driveway.

Westpoint Property Limited, the property’s freeholder, has been ordered to pay £14,282, while Griffin Residential Limited is to pay £7,394, including fines and court costs.

I am a responsible landlord who is prepared to reinvest a significant proportion of rental income into maintaining housing stock to a high standard.”

When approached for comment by the Negotiator, Emoov Director Nick Neale explained that he has been involved in a long-running battle with the council and feelks he had been unfairly targeted.

Griffin says he submitted a mitigation statement, citing COVID-19 disruption to the licensing processes and that serious health issues had affected him during the period when the licence lapsed, which included hospital treatment that materially affected his ability to manage licensing matters.

He added that Westpoint Property Limited spent over £314,000 on repairs and maintenance across its portfolio over the two-year period, representing approximately 21% of turnover. “This clearly demonstrates that I am a responsible landlord who is prepared to reinvest a significant proportion of rental income into maintaining housing stock to a high standard.”