News
Edmonton letting agent given hefty fine for failure to license properties
Green House Estate Agents Ltd of Silver Street, Edmonton N18 has been prosecuted and ordered to pay £35,000 for falling foul of property licensing rules.
The letting agency failed to obtain selective licences for three private rented properties in Upper Edmonton N18. They also failed to provide information to the council when required to do so, contravening the Housing Act 2004.
In addition to the licensing offences, council officers discovered disrepair at the properties, including fire safety deficiencies, damp and a general lack of management.
In the London Borough of Enfield, selective licensing applies to all privately rented properties occupied by a single family or two sharers in 14 areas of the borough. Most Houses in Multiple Occupation also need licensing under the council’s mandatory HMO and additional licensing schemes.
Green House Estate Agents Ltd were convicted for managing and having control of the three private rented properties without a licence on 24 November 2022, with the case adjourned for sentencing.
On Thursday 2 February 2023, at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, Green House Estate Agents Ltd, were fined £35,000, ordered to pay £2,348 costs and a surcharge of £2,000.
Enfield Council’s Cabinet Member for Licensing, Planning & Regulatory Services, Cllr Susan Erbil, said:
“There are many law-abiding landlords in the private rented sector in the borough, and the Council is here to help and advise them to ensure their properties reach the required standards and are properly licensed.
“Unfortunately, there are also landlords who break the law by not obtaining the legally required licence to let their properties. The Council’s successful prosecution of Green House Estates should be wake up call to all unscrupulous landlords who do not comply with the law.”
Enquiries by London Property Licensing found Green House Estate Agents Limited have not filed accounts since 30 November 2018 and Companies House lists an active proposal to strike off the company.
Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in the London Borough of Enfield is available here.
For all the latest news and events, you can sign up for the free London Property Licensing newsletter here.
