Camden Council has successfully prosecuted a rogue estate agency in the week that they launch a campaign to improve standards in the private rented sector.
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A director of Carter Reeves estate agents, based in King’s Cross was fined by Highbury Magistrates Court on 3 December for failing to obtain a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence.
C Reeves Limited has now dissolved and so the fine of £4800 (for failure to license and 5 other offences under the Housing Act 2004) and costs of £12,269 were ordered against Akil Miah of Carter Reeves.
The owners of the property in Kentish Town had previously been prosecuted by Camden for failing to obtain an HMO licence and asked Carter Reeves to manage the property for them. To avoid having to apply for an HMO licence the estate agents let the property to five tenants but only put four on the tenancy agreement. Housing legislation states that a property with five or more tenants that has three or more storeys must have an HMO licence.
Over a third of homes in Camden are privately rented after rapid growth in recent years and the popularity of Camden as a place to live means that even poor quality accommodation can be rented out easily. Lack of affordable housing, with the average home costing more than £600,000, means that many working families rely on living in privately rented homes. Camden are determined to improve standards and make sure that every residents has access to a decent affordable home.
Camden has launched a survey asking for views on renting privately in the borough which will run until February 14. Teams will be visiting homes in the borough between now and March next year to carry out surveys in person. There will also be a series of meetings with private landlords and tenants to get as many views as possible on how to make private renting better for everyone, tenants and landlords.
Councillor Julian Fulbrook, Cabinet member for Housing, said:
“This prosecution is just the latest of our successes against rogue private sector landlords. It shows how serious we are about tackling the problem of poor quality private rented sector accommodation.
“Rising housing prices together with the lack of affordable homes in Camden means that we have to make sure that private landlords do not take advantage of the situation. We are serious about protecting vulnerable tenants and I would like as many people as possible to get involved in our campaign to improve standards in the private sector.”
