HMO warning letters ignored by rogue lettings agency...

A lettings agency has pleaded guilty to seven offences relating to an HMO.

IHomes Letting Limited has been fined £16,970 for failing to meet a number of important safety regulations at the property in the Telford area.

Problems included disrepair of the external brickwork to the rear garden patio, plastic cladding hanging off the gable end of the property, the bricked retaining wall leaning to the right of the entrance steps and multiple disrepair issues in the kitchen including, torn and lifted floor covering and rotten kitchen cupboards.

IHomes Letting Limited failed to protect those living at the HMP from the risk of injury arising from the poor conditions. On a follow up inspection, the defects identified on the first inspection remained, resulting in IHomes being served with a notification letter requiring action to remedy the defects.

Despite receiving warning letters, the letting agency failed to remedy the breaches, which resulted in the council bringing prosecution action.

Councillor Richard Overton, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and enforcement, says: “The safety of our residents is paramount to our council. Letting agents and landlords who fail to provide essential safety conditions in their properties endanger their tenants.

“Our council’s housing enforcement team plays a vital role in ensuring people in rented accommodations across the borough have a safe and secure property to live in. The recent prosecution of iHomes shows that our council is well prepared to hold letting agents accountable when needed, supporting tenants in Telford and Wrekin with their concerns.”