Landlords fined £15,000 for failing to license house as an HMO
Haringey Council hands down second fine for repeat offence after couple break HMO licensing rules again.
A pair of portfolio London landlords have been fined a total of £15,000 for failing to license a house as an HMO and ignoring safety hazards.
The couple have also had their licence period reduced from five years to three years for committing a repeat offence.
The landlords had previously been fined £10,000 by Haringey Council for failing to register a property as an HMO.
Originally a family home, the building had been converted to accommodate seven different households, with a total of nine tenants living over three storeys.
Enforcement notices
As well as being unlicensed, the landlords had received enforcement notices for non-compliance with the 2004 Housing Act.
Under Haringey’s HMO licensing scheme, properties occupied by five or more people who are not related must have an HMO licence.
However, months later, the same couple were once again in breach of housing regulations, raising concerns about the safety and compliance of their properties.
The council investigated further, and despite being given the opportunity to respond, the landlords failed to make any representations, leading to a final penalty notice.
The landlords have since paid the additional £5,000 penalty, and the property is now fully compliant with all safety and licensing requirements.
‘We won’t hesitate to take action’
Cllr Sarah Williams, Deputy Leader of Haringey Council, and cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “This case serves as a stark reminder that landlords have a legal and moral obligation to ensure their properties are safe, well-maintained, and properly licensed.
“The fact that they are repeat offenders makes this even worse and we will not stand for it. Our priority is the safety and well-being of our residents, and we will not hesitate to take action against those who put tenants at risk.
“We are committed to enforcing housing regulations and holding landlords accountable for their responsibilities. Landlords are urged to comply with licensing requirements to avoid penalties and ensure the safety of their tenants.”
