The UK is experiencing the worst cost of living crisis in many years and at the same time the government is laying out plans to enforce stricter standards and punishments against rogue landlords. The government has announced that stricter standards are under plan to be brought in to eliminate unsafe and cold rental housing. As a result of this landlords could be facing six-month prison sentences if they let older homes that are unsafe and cold for their tenants. This really highlights how important it is for landlords to keep on top of licensing and MEES requirements to avoid fines, or worse, sentencing.
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.
September Top Rogue Landlords
Management company to refund £84K rent to tenants in unlicensed accommodation
A tribunal has ordered a student accommodation management company to refund more than £84,000 in rent after it ran an unlicensed house in multiple occupation, HMOs. The accommodation includes 242 rooms in 41 cluster flats in Oxford.
Oxford City Council’s‘ Additional HMO licensing scheme requires landlords and managers of all shared rented houses and flats to have a licence. But upon inspections in late 2021 it was found that the landlord and management company had not obtained the correct licence for the building. Whilst the management company applied for a licence after the council inspection, the tenants in the building have now applied for and been granted a RRO, or Rent Repayment Order, which allows them to claim back up to a year’s rent from the landlord.
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Landlord fined almost £18,000 for unlicensed HMO
A landlord living Down Under who failed to convince a tribunal that she wasn’t to blame for having an unlicensed HMO has been hit with a £17,784 fine. The landlord admitted she had failed to get a licence under Tower Hamlets Council’s selective scheme but tried to argue that she was unaware of the requirement and that when she applied, she was advised the property was exempt.
The tribunal ruled that her ignorance wasn’t excusable and that the exemption argument wasn’t relevant. While the tenants, represented by Justice for Tenants, had had £2,292 deducted from the tenancy deposit as a result of hanging items on the walls, the tribunal made a rent repayment order representing approximately 80% of the total rent paid by them.
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Landlord in Sheffield prosecuted for failing to provide information about rented building
Sheffield City Council has prosecuted a landlord for failing to provide information about the insurance of the building he lets out. In court, the council’s prosecution case stated that landlords must act with professionalism and good management practice to comply with their obligations and said that this landlord’s business practice fell short of the standard required in law.
In sentencing, Magistrates said that the landlord had not shown due diligence and was ordered to pay £2,225 made up of £1,400 costs to the council, a fine of £750 and a £75 victim surcharge.
