Author: Bumblebee Design
Up to £7,200 energy efficiency funding for Lewisham, Bexley & Bromley landlords!
Landlords operating in the boroughs of Lewisham, Bexley and Bromley are being offered grants of up to £7,200 to upgrade the energy efficiency of each property they rent out. The scheme is being run by Lewisham Council, in partnership with Osborne Energy and the funding is only available until 30 […]
read moreSubstantial £75,000 penalty for Ealing rogue landlord
In one of the highest fines to date, an Ealing landlord has been ordered to pay £75,215 for failing to license four houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), protect tenants and comply with various improvement notices and prohibition orders. Mr Gunapalan Vamathevan, also known as Mr Bala, the owner and manager […]
read moreBrent Council receives over 5,000 property licence applications
Brent Council has received over 5,000 applications from landlords seeking to have their Brent private rented properties licensed. On 1 January 2015, Brent Council introduced a borough-wide additional licensing scheme that requires all Houses in Multiple Occupation to be licensed. They also introduced a selective licensing scheme that extends licensing […]
read moreProperty Redress in London: how does your Borough shape up?
It is estimated that more than a quarter of households in London are now renting their property. With demand for rental property far outstripping supply, tenants are facing steep competition to secure a place to live in the capital. It has been reported that up to nine tenants are chasing […]
read moreDawn raid in Dagenham uncovers shocking Dickensian conditions
Enforcement officers have swooped on three addresses in east London as part of Barking and Dagenham Council’s clampdown on rogue landlords. Council officers, along with officers from the local estates’ police team, found 55 people including children living in the properties in Dagenham, during the operation that took place on […]
read moreHigh Court upholds Croydon Council’s selective licensing scheme
Croydon Council’s selective licensing scheme will come into force on 1 October after a High Court Judge rejected a legal challenge. On 16 March 2015, Croydon Council’s Cabinet meeting decided to implement a borough wide selective licensing scheme from 1 October 2015 (read here). Croydon Property Forum Ltd challenged the […]
read moreSouthwark Council approve new landlord licensing schemes
Southwark Council is the latest borough set to implement new licensing schemes for private rented homes. On 21 July 2015, the Council’s Cabinet approved borough wide additional licensing plus a network of smaller selective licensing areas spread across the borough. Both schemes will go live on 1 November 2015. According […]
read moreThe government are proposing new measures to crack down on rogue landlords
On 3 August 2015, the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) launched a consultation document on a range of new measures to crack down on rogue landlords who rent out unsafe, overcrowded and badly managed properties. The government point out that 4.4 million households now rent privately in England, […]
read moreEnforcement action by Redbridge Council closes 93 beds in sheds
Redbridge Council has taken action to shut down 93 outbuildings that were being used as unlawful residential accommodation as part of a tough clampdown on ‘beds in sheds’. In many cases, investigations revealed that the outbuildings didn’t comply with housing safety standards or planning policy. The council say that they […]
read moreGovernment announces new measures to crackdown on illegal immigrants renting properties
The government has announced a series of measures to make Britain an even harder place for illegal migrants to operate and to ensure anyone without the right to live in this country will find it more difficult to rent a home. Measures to be included in the forthcoming Immigration Bill […]
read moreNew planning controls will restrict HMOs in Barnet
New planning controls look set to restrict the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the London Borough of Barnet, according to the latest research by London Property Licensing. At present, Barnet landlords need planning permission to change a single-family property into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) occupied […]
read moreLondon landlords can claim free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
London Fire Brigade is urging the capital’s private landlords to act now and apply for free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms so they are ready for new life saving legislation set to come into force later this year. Under new laws expected to be introduced in October 2015, all […]
read moreDate set for Judicial Review against Croydon Council’s licensing scheme
Croydon Property Forum Limited have launched a legal challenge against Croydon Council’s borough wide selective licensing scheme that is due to come into force on 1 October 2015. The selective licensing scheme, which is expected to cover about 30,000 private rented homes, is already open to applications and landlords who […]
read moreNew planning controls will restrict HMOs in Havering
New planning controls will be used to restrict Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the London Borough of Havering, according to the latest research by London Property Licensing. At present, Havering landlords only need planning permission to change a single-family property into a house in multiple occupation (HMO) occupied by […]
read moreHarrow Council to implement a selective licensing scheme
A new selective licensing scheme covering private rented properties in Harrow Council’s Edgware ward looks set to be introduced on 1 November 2015. The decision was made at Harrow Council’s Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 14 July 2015. The scheme will extend licensing to private rented properties in Edgware ward that […]
read moreHMO Landlord ordered to pay over £25,000 for breaches of the Housing Act
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has prosecuted a landlord after he failed to obtain the required House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence, failed to carry out gas safety checks or attend to other repairs at the property. On Tuesday 14 July 2015, he was ordered to pay £25,151.92 […]
read moreHarrow Council consults on renewing their additional licensing scheme
Having operated an additional licensing scheme for almost five years, Harrow Council is consulting on whether the scheme should be renewed for a further five years. The existing scheme requires certain Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) to be licensed throughout the borough. The consultation is running from 14 May to […]
read moreEnfield Council abandon plans for borough wide landlord licensing
In an unexpected announcement, Enfield Council have said they will no longer contest the Judicial Review decision that quashed their borough wide selective and additional licensing schemes. On 9 April 2014, Enfield Council’s Cabinet made a decision to implement borough wide selective and additional licensing. The schemes were due to […]
read moreBarnet Council launch consultation on additional landlord licensing
More landlords will need to get their properties licensed if proposals for an additional licensing scheme in Barnet get the go-ahead. Having announced an HMO licensing amnesty last month (read here), Barnet Council are consulting on a proposed additional licensing scheme that would extend licensing to a wider range of […]
read moreLewisham Council look set to consult on additional licensing scheme
A report setting out proposals for additional licensing in Lewisham is to be discussed at the Council’s Mayor and Cabinet meeting on 15 July 2015 (see meeting agenda). According to the report, the additional licensing scheme would be restricted to flats above commercial premises where council officers have found the […]
read moreResident Review: a website where tenants talk and reputations can be built
In 2010 I was renting a flat in Liverpool, a city with a huge surplus of housing. Despite paying above average rent for the area, the property was filthy and infested with bed bugs. It wasn’t until I tracked down previous tenants that I discovered they had been complaining about […]
read moreCroydon Council to license all private rented homes from 1 October 2015
Landlords and letting agents operating in Croydon are being warned they have three months to get their properties licensed or face possible legal action, following a decision by Croydon Council to roll out borough-wide selective licensing. The selective licensing scheme, which is expected to cover about 30,000 private rented homes, […]
read moreBrent landlord prosecuted after 16 people found crammed in an unsafe and unlicensed HMO
A landlord who had sixteen tenants living in just one property on Lechmere Road, Willesden has been fined for a second time for not obtaining the correct property licence. The sixteen tenants had the use of just one kitchen, two WC’s and one shower room that they all shared. On […]
read moreGas fitter in court for illegal gas work in Twickenham
A qualified gas fitter has been fined for deliberate breaches of Gas Safety regulations despite having worked in the gas industry for many years. Gary Byrne, 38, a qualified gas fitter was registered with Gas Safe Register through a former employer. However his registration ended when his contract ended but […]
read moreFailure to join redress scheme leads to £5,000 fine for Islington agent
Islington Council is urging letting agents to make sure they are aware of their legal responsibilities after it fined a local firm £5,000 for failing to sign up to a complaints redress scheme. Since 1 October 2014, all letting agents and property managers have been legally required to sign up […]
read moreBrothers found guilty of bedsit misery in Southwark
Two landlords who put their tenants’ lives at risk have each been fined £2,800 following a successful prosecution by Southwark Council. Brothers Mr Candido Pereira Rodrigues and Mr Abilio Pereira Rodrigues, owners of the Banana Bar in Walworth and two floors of bedsits above, pleaded guilty to two offences under […]
read moreBarnet Council announce HMO licensing amnesty until 31 July 2015
An amnesty on the licensing of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) is being held in Barnet, north London following the successful prosecution of a private landlord. Owners and managers of unlicensed HMOs have until 31 July 2015 to apply for a licence without fear of enforcement action, according to Re, […]
read moreLandlord found guilty of misleading tenants over illegal flat conversion in Southwark
A landlord who failed to provide his tenants with adequate living conditions has been found guilty in court. Mr Majid Saniinejad (53) of Stoke Newington and his company Hertford (UK) Limited had been letting out a property in Maxted Road SE15 despite breaching both planning laws and unfair trading regulations. […]
read moreTwo years’ noise nuisance leads to closure order on Croydon private rented flat
Two years’ continuous noise nuisance making life unbearable for a neighbour undergoing chemotherapy, has ended with a three-month closure order on an Upper Norwood flat. On Wednesday 3 June 2015, Croydon Magistrates ordered the Sylvan Road premises closed after hearing of failed attempts by council officers and the police to […]
read moreUnscrupulous landlord fined £11,000 following prosecution by Hillingdon Council
A landlord who crammed too many tenants into his rental property and put their lives at risk by failing to install fire safety measures has been hit with an £11,000 fine. Following an investigation, Hillingdon council officers discovered a three-storey house in multiple occupation (HMO) with inadequate fire precautions in […]
read moreRedbridge Council to implement borough wide property licensing
Thousands more private rented properties look set to be licensed following a decision by Redbridge Council. At a meeting on Tuesday 9 June 2015, Redbridge Council’s cabinet voted to implement borough-wide selective and additional licensing. The licensing schemes, covering over 20,000 private rented properties, are expected to go live in […]
read moreLandlords warned over cannabis cultivation in buy-to-lets
New analysis from landlord insurer, Direct Line for Business reveals there were 456,911 cannabis plants seized by police in the last year (2013/14), with many cannabis farms now being discovered in buy to let properties. Their research reveals the extent of cannabis cultivation in the UK, with the most seizures […]
read moreThinking of investing your pension in buy-to-let?
Under new pension freedoms introduced on 6 April 2015, pensioners now have much greater choice and flexibility about how to access their pension savings. With many people over the age of 55 now able to take 25% of their pension pot as a tax-free amount (Source: Pensions Advisory Service), there […]
read moreOvercrowded Islington flat leads to prosecution of letting agent
In the latest of a series of housing prosecutions by Islington Council, TheCityRooms.com Limited based in Cambridge Heath Road, London E1, has been prosecuted for failing to comply with an overcrowding notice. According to Islington Council, an investigation was carried out at a flat in Mitchison Road, London N1, following […]
read moreCamden additional licensing scheme expected to cover 8,000 HMOs
In a report tabled for Thursday 4 June 2015, Camden Council is proposing to implement a borough wide additional licensing scheme covering all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) – an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 properties. The scheme would see property licensing extended to all private rented accommodation in Camden shared […]
read moreNew legislation brings greater transparency in letting agency fees
New legislation coming into force today (27 May 2015) makes it a legal requirement for all letting agents in England to display a comprehensive list of fees in their offices and on their website. The new requirements introduced under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 herald a new era of transparency […]
read moreSurveyor with over 30 years experience prosecuted for submitting forged tenancy agreements
In the latest in a series of prosecutions by Brent Council, a landlord and his planning agent who tried to deceive the Council and the Planning Inspectorate by submitting forged tenancy agreements were fined thousands of pounds by Willesden Magistrates’ Court this month. Mr Martin Joseph Hetherton, the landlord, and […]
read morePrime Minister announces new licensing regime to crack down on unscrupulous landlords
In a surprise announcement on Thursday 21 May 2015, Prime Minister David Cameron revealed proposals for a new mandatory licensing regime for landlords as part of package of immigration measures to be included in next week’s Queens Speech. Commenting specifically on the private rented sector, the Prime Minister said: “We’ll […]
read moreSelective licensing consultation in Tower Hamlets extended until 12 July 2015
Enquiries by London Property Licensing have revealed a one month extension to the selective licensing consultation in Tower Hamlets. The 12 week consultation originally set to end on 7 June has now been extended until 12 July 2015. The proposed scheme would extend licensing to most private rented accommodation in: […]
read moreHousing association fined for unsafe gas work at pregnant mum’s home in Fulham
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has prosecuted a housing association for undertaking unsafe gas work at a rented property where a pregnant mother lived with her two children. At Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Shepherd’s Bush Housing Association based in Flanders Road, Chiswick, London pleaded guilty to breaching its responsibilities as […]
read moreTackling rogue landlords: analysis of private rented housing prosecutions in London
There has been much discussion about the need to take effective action to crack down on rogue landlords who evade the law and place tenants’ lives at risk. In 2013, Shelter launched a campaign to ‘evict rogue landlords‘ and to date, over 100 councils have signed up including more than […]
read moreCrackdown on rogue landlords leads to 580 housing prosecutions in London
Landlords letting out unsafe, poorly managed and overcrowded accommodation are being sent a stark warning today following research published by housing consultancy, London Property Licensing. From 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2014, there were 580 housing prosecutions in London under the Housing Act 2004. The prosecutions taken by the […]
read moreHounslow landlady hit with £160,000 fine after fatal house blaze
A landlady has been fined £160,000 and ordered to pay £40,000 prosecution costs for breaking fire safety laws following a fatal fire in one of the Hounslow properties she rented out. Following a trial lasting more than two weeks, a jury found Mrs Surinder Rana guilty of four offences under […]
read moreCamden Council’s HMO licensing consultation closes 5 May 2015
With all eyes on the general election campaign, landlords may have overlooked the significance of Camden Council’s licensing consultation that closes two days earlier. Camden Council is looking to extend licensing to all Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough, covering an estimated 8,000 properties. This would include houses […]
read moreIslington landlords face 30% increase in HMO licensing fees
The cost of licensing larger Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Islington has increased by 30% after Islington Council reviewed their schedule of charges. The cost for a private landlord to obtain a licence under the mandatory HMO licensing scheme has risen from £200 to £260 per letting, an increase […]
read moreHackney landlord prosecuted for serious hazards in Margate property
A London-based landlord has been fined £3,000 for failing to comply with the requirements of two Improvement Notices served by Thanet District Council. In March 2014, a council housing officer visited a flat in Northdown Road, Margate and discovered serious health and safety hazards. A defective roof had caused severe […]
read moreDangerous electrics lead to prosecution for lslington landlord
A landlord who failed to comply with an Improvement Notice served by Islington Council and left their tenants exposed to serious hazards has found themselves in Court. An investigation was carried out by Islington’s environmental health team following receipt of a complaint about a self-contained flat in City Road, London […]
read moreFirst landlord prosecuted under Brent Council’s additional licensing scheme
A landlord who evaded the need for a licence under Brent Council’s new additional licensing scheme has found himself before the courts. On 14 April 2015, Willesden Magistrates Court found Mr Douglas Gerard-Reynolds guilty of renting out a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) without a licence. He failed to attend […]
read moreWhy London Property Licensing?
On Tuesday 21 April 2015, a new website was born providing simple, impartial and expert advice on property licensing and the regulation of private rented homes in London. The London Property Licensing website contains a wealth of information about the mandatory licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), plus all […]
read moreFuture of London launch new report on property licensing in London
An important new briefing note on property licensing in London has been published today (15 April 2015) by Future of London, an independent not-for-profit policy network focused on the challenges facing regeneration, housing, infrastructure and economic development practitioners in London. Private Sector Licensing: Policy and Practice is aimed at helping […]
read more£16,000 Rent Repayment Order for Haringey landlord
Urban Lettings (London) Limited have been ordered to pay a Rent Repayment Order (RRO) of £16,000 following the conclusion of an appeal hearing in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber). After discovering an unlicensed HMO at Grand Parade, Green Lanes, London N4 1JX, Haringey Council made an application to the Residential […]
read moreLandlord fined for urine stench in property
A rogue landlord has been slapped with a £2,000 fine for failing to repair a rental property in Neasden where one of the bedrooms smelt so badly of urine that his tenants couldn’t use it. Mr Gareth Kirwan was convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court on 24 March 2015 for failing […]
read moreWaltham Forest selective licensing scheme goes live
Landlords and managing agents operating in Waltham Forest need to act now or face possible court action following the roll out of borough wide selective licensing. The new licensing scheme, which started on 1 April 2015, requires most private landlords to apply for a licence if they want to rent […]
read moreAbsence of fire precautions in unlicensed HMO leads to £25,000 fine
A dodgy landlord who put his tenants in danger has been forced to pay almost £25,000 in fines and costs. Alan Lempriere was sentenced at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court for a spate of offences on Tuesday 24 March 2015. Since 2013, Mr Lempriere had repeatedly ignored requests from Hammersmith & Fulham […]
read moreMigration and deprivation – new criteria for selective licensing
New regulations come into force today (27 March 2015) that widen the criteria under which councils can introduce selective licensing. Until now, councils could only introduce selective licensing in response to concerns about low demand or anti-social behaviour. Whilst those criteria remain as before, councils can now introduce schemes to […]
read moreCroydon to roll out selective licensing
Borough wide selective licensing is coming to Croydon following a decision at the Council’s Cabinet meeting on 16 March 2015. The Cabinet approved a recommendation to implement a borough wide selective licensing scheme from 1 October 2015. The move, which extends licensing to all private rented homes, will involve licensing […]
read moreGovernment publish new guidance for councils on tackling criminal landlords
New government guidance should help council housing officers take effective action to tackle poor and illegal practices by landlords and letting agents. Published on 13 March 2015, the DCLG guidance “Improving the private rented sector and tackling bad practice: a guide for local authorities” updates and replaces the previous rogue […]
read moreGovernment launch new guidance for tenants
On 13 March 2015, the Department of Communities and Local Government issued new guidance for tenants on Renting a safe home. The guidance explains some of the hazards that tenants may encounter under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System and outlines landlords’ repairing obligations under the Landlord and Tenant […]
read moreUnlimited fines for serious housing offences
New laws that come into force today (12 March 2015) will dramatically increase that maximum fine that can be imposed on rogue landlords. Previously, the maximum penalty for most housing offences under the Housing Act 2004 was capped at £5,000 (level 5 fine), or up to £20,000 fine for letting […]
read moreBrent landlords fined for house in ‘appalling state of disrepair’
Two private landlords have been ordered to pay a total of £5,260 in fines and costs after failing to make repairs at the Wembley property they let out. Willesden Magistrates’ Court was told that Tarrek and Saira Aslam had left the house at Castleton Gardens, Wembley, in an ‘appalling state […]
read moreIllegal eviction leads to suspended prison term for Fulham landlord
A landlord who illegally evicted tenants after they complained about a foul smell and a fire hazard in their flat has been successfully prosecuted by Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Kathryn Dow, 56, of Novello Street, Fulham, was given a suspended prison term at City of London Magistrates’ Court on 13 […]
read moreBrent father and son guilty of illegal flat conversion
Two men from Brent have been found guilty of illegally converting a property into 5 flats. Mr Khetani and his father Mr Patel from Mortimer Road, NW10 were convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court on 3 March 2015 after carrying out works to a property they own in Neasden without planning […]
read moreIlford landlord prosecuted for nineteen housing offences
Mr Salim Ahmed from Ilford has been fined a total of £7,467.20 for renting out a potentially dangerous property in High Road, Ilford. The case was heard at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on 9 January 2015 where Ahmed was sentenced for operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). The property […]
read moreDilapidated property in East Ham leads to almost £40,000 fine
A landlord and a letting agent have been fined almost £40,000 for a string of housing offences. Environmental Health Officers from Newham Council found a dilapidated and unsanitary property in Harrow Road, East Ham during an inspection in July 2013. Five men were living in the seven-bedroom property where there […]
read moreClapham landlord fined £10,000 for breaking fire safety laws
A Clapham landlord has been prosecuted for letting tenants live in his property despite fire safety inspectors slapping a notice on it to prevent its use due to serious fire safety concerns. Panayiotis Chrysostomou was hit with a £10,000 fine and £2,000 costs after pleading guilty at Inner London Crown […]
read more