A Nottingham city councillor has been ordered to pay more than £11,500 after being successfully prosecuted by her own local authority for operating an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Faith Gakanje-Ajala (main picture), who represents Bilborough for the Nottingham People’s Alliance opposition group, was found guilty of failing to licence her HMO following a hearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.

Guilty in absence

Nottingham City Council’s Safer Housing Team brought the prosecution. The district judge found Gakanje-Ajala guilty in her absence after ruling the offence had been proven and accepting aggravating factors presented by the authority.

The judge imposed a £7,500 fine, a £3,000 victim surcharge and council costs of £1,037.50, taking the total financial penalty to £11,537.50.

The property, which is in Darnal Close, between Bestwood and Top Valley, is covered by Nottingham’s citywide Additional Licensing Scheme, which was introduced in January 2024. The scheme requires landlords operating certain smaller HMOs occupied by three or more tenants from different households to obtain a licence from the council.

Landlords must comply fully with their legal obligations.”

Nottingham People’s Alliance confirmed to West Bridgford Wire that it has suspended Gakanje-Ajala pending further investigation following the prosecution.

The Alliance’s leader, Cllr Kirsty Jones, says the group “affirms that all renters have the right to live in safe, secure homes” and that landlords “must comply fully with their legal obligations”.

Nottingham City Council adds that the prosecution reflects its “ongoing commitment to tackle rogue landlords across the city who blatantly disregard their legal obligations within Housing Law and the impact this has on renters in Nottingham”.