News
Breach of HMO licence conditions results in £40,000 fine for Camden landlord
Grand Union Company Ltd have been fined £40,000 after 26 people were found living in overcrowded conditions in bedsits above the former Grand Union Pub on Camden Road, in breach of their HMO licence.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching a condition of their house in multiple occupation (HMO) licence at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Thursday 7 September 2017.
The condition specified that a maximum of fifteen people could occupy the HMO. Grand Union Company Ltd had entered into an agreement with another company to let out the accommodation. When Camden Council visited in December 2016 they found eleven additional people there, with some rooms having multiple bunk beds.
The magistrates stated that they considered this an extremely serious matter and that the fine would have been £60,000, but was reduced in light of the guilty plea.
London Property Licensing understands that a property management company and a director will return to Highbury Magistrates Court on 5 October 2017 in relation to this case.
Councillor Pat Callaghan, Cabinet Member for Housing at Camden Council, said:
“These interventions help us to protect Camden residents’ rights, safety and general living conditions in the private rented sector.“
Richard Tacagni, MD, London Property Licensing commented:
“As this case demonstrates, obtaining an HMO licence is only part of the compliance process. If the licence holder passes management responsibility to a third party, the licence holder can still face prosecution if licence conditions are breached by their appointed property manager.“
In the last ten months Camden Council has handed out fines totalling over £130,000 to Camden landlords and letting agents who have committed offences under the Housing Act.
Information about property licensing requirements in Camden is available on our website here.
Information about our fixed price licence application handling service in the London area is available here.
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