A landlord in Tottenham has been mandated to refund 12 months’ rent, totaling £20,000, to tenants after neglecting to license their House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). This action follows an initial warning ignored by the landlord, which previously led to a £2500 fine.
Additionally, two landlords in Wood Green received Civil Penalty notices for similar licensing failures. Despite their appeals, one was ordered to pay £5000 and the other £2000 after not adhering to licensing regulations.
With approximately 40% of Haringey’s residents living in privately rented accommodations, the council has intensified its efforts to ensure safe, well-maintained housing. Enforcement actions target landlords who disregard legal obligations related to licensing, aimed at protecting residents.
Properties qualify as HMOs if they house at least three unrelated tenants sharing facilities like bathrooms or kitchens. The licensing scheme, effective since May 2019, mandates landlords to obtain licenses for properties meeting the HMO criteria.
Cllr Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters and Planning, commented: “Thanks to the hard work of council officers, legal action has been taken against landlords that have failed to license their properties. Haringey Council has a zero-tolerance policy to rogue landlords; in one case the landlord has been made to repay £20,000 in rent to their tenants. Our licensing scheme is in place for a reason: to protect Haringey’s private renters by ensuring their homes are safe and well maintained.”
She further stated: “A tightly regulated and professionalised landlord industry helps protect and promote our good landlords, and creates a safer, healthier and more accountable rented sector for tenants. Our existing HMO licensing scheme needs to be renewed next year so I’d encourage all residents, particularly those living in the private rented sector, to take part in the consultation that will help shape our new scheme.”
The existing additional HMO Licensing scheme is set to expire early next year, with Haringey residents being invited to share their views on a proposed new scheme to further improve the private rented sector. Council officers have used additional HMO licensing powers to proactively address poor housing conditions and identify at-risk properties.
To date, Haringey Council has issued 46 fines totaling over £250,000.00 to landlords for failing to license their HMO properties.
