This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
A landlord from Islington has been told to pay in excess of £7,000 in fines, after failing to licence a house in multiple occupation.
Christos Loizou, of Chingford, pleaded guilty to failing to obtain a HMO licence as was required on the 14th May 2015. Islington Council repeatedly asked Loizou to get a licence for the property but he failed to act, with the council taking legal action as a result.
Charges
Appearing at Highbury Magistrates’ Court on 13 August, Mr Loizou was fined £6,700 and also ordered to pay £715.50 in costs, a victim surcharge of £120 and a court fee of £150.
Islington Council has launched additional licensing requirements for landlords of HMO’s in Caledonian Road and in Holloway Road, where the property in question is located. Council research indicated that there is poor management of rented properties on both streets.
Islington landlord fined £7,000
Councillor James Murray, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and development, commented that, ‘more and more people in Islington are renting privately, and we want to help make sure they have decent homes to live in.’[1]
‘Most landlords are good and make sure they keep to the law and licencing rules, but if landlords fail to meet their responsibilities we will take action. If landlords or tenants have concerns about property licencing we would ask them to contact the council in confidence for help and advice,’ Murray added.[2]
[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2015/9/7-000-bill-for-islington-hmo-landlord
