Barnsley landlord Hassan Fahri and his two managing agents have been fined a total of £17,000 for operating an unlicensed HMO, failing to provide documents, and being in breach of an improvement notice.

Barnsley Council visited the property in Gold Street (pictured) and discovered it was being used as an unlicensed HMO. The team also identified some serious repair issues, including damp, mould, and fire hazards.

56-year-old Fahri and his agents were subsequently issued with an Improvement Notice along with a request to produce the property’s safety documents.

Failed on all counts

When they failed to provide these, the case was passed to the council’s legal services who brought the case to court.

At the court hearing, landlord and property owner Fahri pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed HMO, failing to provide documents, and being in breach of an improvement notice. He was ordered to pay a total of £9,457.50 – a £5,120 fine, a £2,000 victim surcharge and £2,337.50 in costs.

Managing agent Howard James Przadkiewicz (36) also pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a total of £6,069.50 –  a £2,666 fine, a £1,066 victim surcharge and £2,377.50 in costs.

The second managing agent, Danny Shirt (32), pleaded guilty to a breach of HMO regulations and failing to provide documents. He was ordered to pay a total of £2,077  –  a £769 fine, a £308 victim surcharge and £1,000 in costs.

Failing to license an HMO can put tenants at risk.”

Cllr Wendy Cain, Cabinet Spokesperson for Public Health and Communities, said after the verdict: “This is a positive result for our team.”

Then added, “The licensing of HMOs means we’re able to make sure conditions in rented properties are safe, and take action where standards are not met. Failing to license an HMO can put tenants at risk, and our team are working hard to hold landlords who do so accountable.”