A LANDLORD has been sentenced and fined nearly £2,000 at Coventry Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to being in control of a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) that wasn’t licensed.
Vincent Ward faced seven charges and 15 offences for failure to licence HMOs and comply with management regulations.
Licensing legislation, which is primarily concerned with the safety of the people living in the house, establishes that the house has sufficient amenities and acceptable standards of fire safety, and that the landlord is a fit and proper person.
Ward, who still operates HMOs, had owned properties since 1990 and, during that time, had already been fined for various other offences.
A Coventry City Council spokesperson said that while the council was satisfied with the overall outcome, it was disappointed with the fines imposed by the court given the severity of the offences.
Coun Abdul Salam Khan, Cabinet Member for Policing and Equalities, added: “Our HMO Enforcement Team are there to support tenants and work with landlords to raise and monitor housing standards in HMOs.
“Landlords have important legal responsibilities that they must meet. Our enforcement officers will work with them, but those landlords who fail to comply with their legal duties to licence HMOs and manage and maintain this type of house will face enforcement action.”
Anyone who feels that they may be living in an unlicensed HMO or subject to poor housing conditions can contact the council on [email protected]
