Landlords lose appeal against UK’s biggest fine so far this year
A couple and a management company were fined for failing to secure a HMO licence for a property where six tenants shared a small kitchen, and fire safety measures weren't taken.
A landlord couple and their management firm in West London have lost appeals in the Crown Court against fines and costs totalling more than £140,000, one of the biggest financial penalties this year anywhere in the UK.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council’s private sector housing team helped prosecute the couple and Top Holdings Ltd which has a registered address in Ealing (pictured) for renting out a property without a HMO licence in West Kensington.
No fire safety
There were six tenants sharing a small kitchen at the property, and no adequate fire safety measures.
The charges were of being in control of or managing an unlicensed HMO, failing to take reasonable steps to protect occupiers from injury, and a failure to display manager’s contact details
Francesco Grasso and Top Holdings were unsuccessful in their appeal after being found guilty on all three charges in September 2022.
Fines
Grasso was fined £35,000 and ordered to pay £25,000 in costs. Top Holdings, of which Grasso was a director, was also fined £35,000 and £25,000 costs.
Owner Margaret Cabo, the wife of Grasso, was ultimately found guilty of being in control of or managing an unlicensed HMO, but successfully appealed against the other two charges because the court found that she was not involved in the day-to-day running of the HMO. She was eventually fined £7,000 and £14,500 costs.
The council’s officers were first contacted in 2019 by one of the tenants. Following lengthy delays caused by a lack of co-operation from the defendants and the Covid pandemic, a trial was finally held in City of London Magistrates Court.
Despite the lengthy court proceedings, justice was eventually served on the rogue landlords.”
Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, says: “Resident safety is our top priority.
“We believe that everyone deserves a secure and comfortable place to call home. Despite the lengthy court proceedings, justice was eventually served on the rogue landlords.”
Pic credits: Google Streetview/Hammersmith & Fulham.
