Rogue landlords fined £55,000 for poor housing conditions
Havering Council has issued £55,000 in penalty notices to rogue landlords across the borough over the last two months.
The Council has been proactively clamping down on rogue landlords operating inadequate houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs).
Since March, the Council’s enforcement team has issued £55,000 from eight financial penalty notices served on landlords.
The Council’s Landlord Licencing Scheme, which started in 12 wards across the borough earlier this year, requires private landlords of houses in multiple occupancy (HMOs) to apply for a licence. The scheme was introduced to tackle the poor management of private rented homes, overcrowding and anti-social behaviour.
A landlord was served two fixed penalty notices totalling £20,000 for operating an unlicensed HMO in serious disrepair in Rainham. The property had no heating, exposed electrical wiring, and a dangerous outdoor staircase, which lead to the roof and acted an entrance to the HMO.
Councillor Osman Dervish, Cabinet Member for Environment, said:
“In Havering, we are targeting irresponsible landlords as we are seeing the rise of inadequate HMOs and we will not tolerate it.
“These rogue landlords are taking advantage of local families in the community with overcrowded and poorly maintained properties. We’re being proactive in our efforts to crack down on this issue now, before it increases.
“We are one of the few boroughs who have this scheme in place and I’m pleased with what we have achieved so far, but there is more to do!
“Landlords of HMOs should take note and licence now to avoid such financial penalties.”