A managing agent in Kent has been slapped with a £17,500 fine after the firm was found to have been renting out an HMO without a licence on Parrock Street in Gravesend (pictured).

The agency, who has not been named by Gravesend Council, is one of two local operators to pay big fines – a private landlord, who has also not been named, is to pay £10,000 after operating an HMO illegally in Granville Road.

The two fines are part of the council’s new drive to crack down on illegal HMOs after it issued an amnesty to all landlords who have not registered their HMOs via the council’s mandatory scheme, which costs £807 per property.

Councillor Karina O’Malley (main image), cabinet member for housing services, says the cases serve as a warning to others to get their houses in order.

“We have an excellent relationship with the majority of private landlords in Gravesend who work hard to ensure their tenants live in safe, suitable accommodation,” she explains.

Landlords

“Last year we worked hard to reach [out to] landlords across the borough to make sure they had the appropriate licences in place, and to work with those who needed our help in getting them.

“Now, for the good of local residents, we are pursuing those who don’t have licences. These two cases are just the start – we are actively investigating others and will follow-up on intelligence received.”

O’Malley adds that it isn’t too late for those responsible for HMOs to register them. “We would much rather every HMO in the borough be certified as safe rather than have to pursue landlords and agents with enforcement action.”