Croydon Council is warning all landlords operating all ‘Homes is Multiple Occupancy’ – properties used as bedsits or shared houses – to ensure they are properly licensed after a company was found guilty of running an unlicensed HMO from a three-bedroom property in the borough and fined almost £15,000.
Recent changes to regulations make it mandatory for multiple occupancy properties to be licensed and grant local authorities powers to ensure the properties are safe and up to standard.
Councillor Dudley Mead, deputy leader and cabinet member for housing on Croydon Council, said: “A lot of potentially vulnerable tenants live in HMOs and can be taken advantage of despite paying their rent on time and being responsible tenants.”
Cllr Mead said the successful prosecution “should act as a warning to other landlords who think they are above the law. If you do not have a licence we will not hesitate to take action against you and it could cost you dearly.”
Matthew says
I applaud the need to ensure that HMO’s are of a safe and reasonable standard.
However, it would be useful for councils to take into account that most landlords do not have spare funds just lying around ready to implement the latest government initiative. At last count; a good fire alarm was between £1,500 to £5,000 depending on your supplier and location.
Most landlords are good and decent people who want to do the right thing but don’t tarnish us all with the same brush as the rogues who continue operaeting outside of the law.