Landlords get criminal records and fine over HMO safety

Two landlords each face a bill of well over £4,000 each after being found guilty of charges relating to their three storey HMO property. 

The pair, from Dartford, were found guilty on three offences relating to the licensing, repair and management of the property and inadequate fire safety measures which put their tenants' lives at risk.

Specifically the charges related to a failure to comply with a notice under s.16 Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976; having control of or managing an unlicensed house of multiple occupation; and breaches of the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 ('the 2006 Regulations'), which apply to persons managing houses of multiple occupation and concerns health & safety matters amongst others.

The property did not have a full fire detection system installed, had no safe means of escape if a fire was to break out, and had a lack of fire doors and fire-fighting equipment.

Each landlord was fined £2,120 and ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. 

They both now have criminal records and are unlikely to be able to hold an HMO licence in the future, according to the local authority bringing the case, Dartford council.

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