Tottenham: Landlord without HMO licence to refund tenants £20,000

In Tottenham, North London, a landlord has been directed to compensate tenants with £20,000 following the failure to register their property as a house of multiple occupancy (HMO). This sum encompasses a refund of rent for a period of 12 months, along with a penalty fine amounting to £2,500. Additionally, the landlord has been mandated to obtain the requisite licence for the property and cover the associated application fee. Notably, a property qualifies as an HMO if it accommodates at least three unrelated tenants who share communal bathroom and kitchen facilities.

Furthermore, the repercussions for landlords found operating without the appropriate HMO licence extend beyond financial penalties. In severe instances, local councils retain the authority to revoke the property licence and assume control via a management order. This regulatory framework underscores the importance of adherence to licensing requirements, ensuring a safer and more accountable rental sector for tenants. The existing HMO licensing scheme in Haringey, operational since May 2019, has facilitated the enforcement of regulations, with council officers empowered to address properties in substandard conditions. To date, fines totaling £250,000 have been levied on landlords in Haringey who failed to license their HMO properties, signaling the robust enforcement of regulatory measures.

Source: BBC News