Total fines for letting agents and landlords in London have now surpassed £7.5 million for the first time ever. Not only are we seeing a big increase in fines handed out to landlords and agents, April has also been a record month for property licensing in the private rented sector with several new licensing schemes. For example a huge new landlord licensing scheme launched in County Durham covering at least 29,000 properties, or about 42% of the private rented sector in the county. This month Bristol council also extended their selective and additional licensing schemes to three new large areas of the city.
At Kamma, we understand that property licensing is complex, inconsistent, and ever changing. Our technology and software cuts through that complexity to keep you on top of all the changes with clear and accurate advice. We analyse and sort data to help agents, landlords and surveyors understand the impact of Property Licensing and Planning Permission on their properties and assets. We leverage technology and data to help agents and landlords stay on top of new property licensing schemes and avoid licensing fines.
Contact us or book a demo now to understand how Kamma can solve property licensing for you.
April Top Rogue Landlords
Coventry landlord fined for failing to comply with Electric Safety Standards
A landlord has been fined £1,600 in one of the first cases in England, for failing to comply with Electrical Safety Standards. Regulations that were introduced across the country only last year give local authorities powers to issue fines to landlords who fail to follow Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Sector (England) Regulations 2020.
Despite the council requesting the landlord of the property to provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report the landlord failed to do so, forcing the council to take legal action. Adrian Chowns, Property Licensing and Housing Enforcement Manager for Coventry council, says: “We believe this is the first time these powers have been used by a Local Authority in England. It highlights how Coventry City Council are taking a proactive approach to enforcement and clamping down on rogue landlords in its city.”
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Massive £11,000 fine for Newport property manager
A property manager has been ordered to pay-up nearly £11,000 for operating an unsafe and unlicensed HMO property in Newport. The landlord appeared before Gwent Magistrates Court on Friday, April 8, charged with nine housing offences. All charges related to a house in multiple occupation on Baldwin Street, in the Pill area of the city. The landlord initially pleaded not guilty to eight charges earlier in the year, before changing his pleas to guilty now in April.
Firstly, the property was found to have not been licensed for use as an HMO property. HMOs have to register with the local council, in accordance with the Housing Act 2004. No regard was found to have been given to the number of people occupying the house. The property manager also failed to ensure that occupiers were not being reasonably protected from injury, due to issues with the structural condition of the property.
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Property management company fined £20,000 for failing to carry out safety and fire improvements
A property ownership and management company has been fined £20,000 for failing to carry out safety and fire safety improvement works on a property in Yorkshire. The management company pleaded guilty in court to two counts of failing to comply with improvement notices served under the Housing Act 2004. Council officers found the safety of the tenants was at risk due to a lack of smoke and heat detectors. There was also a collapsed ceiling, no lighting in the hallway, and windows and patio doors that would not open or lock properly.
The company was asked to deal with the issues, and despite assurances repair and safety work would be carried out, further inspections in December 2020 and January 2021 revealed that the requests had been ignored. Legal notices were then served on the company – these were not complied with leading to court proceedings. The property company was fined a total of £20,000, ordered to pay costs of £3,419.57, and a victim surcharge of £190.
