Landlord fined for failing to get HMO licence

A landlord has been fined £3,358 for failing to get a council licence to operate a house in multiple occupation.

Natalie Reilly, of Lichfield, pleaded guilty at Stafford Magistrates' Court in a prosecution brought by Lichfield District Council.

Reilly had been letting out the spare rooms in her house to four tenants without obtaining a licence from the council. Officers also identified fire safety and heating issues.

Since April 2006, the Housing Act 2004 has placed a duty on local authorities to implement mandatory licensing for houses in multiple occupation, which pose the greatest health and safety risks to tenants. This applies to individuals letting out rooms in the property in which they still live, as well as landlords operating a separate property purely for letting purposes.

Compulsory licensing applies to properties of three or more storeys occupied by five or more unrelated people who share some facilities.

The court fined Reilly £1,625, ordered her to pay court costs of £1,613 and a victim surcharge of £120, a total of £3,358.

Councillor Colin Greatorex, Lichfield council cabinet member for community, housing and health, said: We're pleased the court took this case seriously, as it illustrates just how important it is for landlords to be properly licensed. Licensing ensures that management standards and housing conditions in the private rented sector are maintained.