The fines are targeted at those operating inadequate and dangerous living conditions in housing of multiple occupancy (HMO).
“We won’t tolerate these landlords taking advantage of local families and individuals by providing overcrowded and poorly maintained HMO properties,” said Councillor Viddy Persaud.
Over the last year, the council has issued 108 penalty notices, 16 housing related notices to address poor housing standards and collected £144,854 in licensing fees.
A property in Elm Park, which had four households, saw occupants sharing kitchen and bathroom facilities in poor condition. Babies and children were living there and did not have adequate fire safety or a working fire alarm. The council took action when they were discovered in November without a license.
It’s part of the Council’s Landlord Licensing Scheme, started at the beginning of the year, which requires private landlords of HMOs to apply for a license.
“The past 11 months have seen us carry out back-to-back enforcement action. Under our landlord scheme, we are successfully rooting out those landlords that think they are above the law. Our message to them is, they cannot get away with it,” added Persaud.
“Our officers will continue to be proactive to make sure tenants are living safely in private rented accommodation.
“Landlords of HMO’s that breach the regulations should be aware that we will use the strongest possible action against them every time.”
Tags: Havering
