A rogue landlord who manages multiple properties in Nottingham has pleaded guilty to twenty offences (three for failing to licence and seventeen failures to manage houses in multiple occupation (HMOs)). The maximum fine that could have been applied for these offences was £145,000 (Photos on Flickr).
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- Nottingham City Council
- Fine: £38,050.00
- Costs: £6,950.87
- Total: £45,000.87
On the 3rd July 2014 Mr Zain Khan was fined £45,120.87
Mr. Khan’s solicitor John Kemp said his client’s father spent time out of the country and had passed on the management of the properties to his son. In mitigating he said: “They didn’t have the money to maintain the properties and keep them to a good standard. That was the explanation I received. It was all down to money.”
Commenting on the case, District Judge Pyle said that the property was not fit for human habitation in the 21st century.
26 years old Mr Zain Khan of Mayo Road, Nottingham pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Thursday April 24th following a prosecution brought by Nottingham City Council.
When three properties managed by Mr Khan were inspected by Community Protection’s Environmental Health HMO team, they found.
- Defective fire alarm system
- An active cockroach infestation
- Exposed live and broken electric sockets
- Dirty living conditions and poorly maintained shared kitchen and bathrooms
- No certificates to ensure the safety of the electrical circuit was provided
- Obstructed escape route with trip hazards
- No details of who the manager was or how to contact them
- Ineffective fire separation between the ground floor commercial business and living accommodation above.
The investigation started in November 2012 following complaints from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue which led to an investigation finding 3 offences for failure to licence the HMOs (Housing Act 2004) and 17 offences under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006. The 3 failure to licence a HMO offences carry maximum fines of £20,000 each and the 17 Management of HMOs offences carry a maximum fine of £5,000 each.
City Council Leader Councillor Jon Collins said: “We will not tolerate rogue landlords who offer sub-standard accommodation in Nottingham and refuse to meet their responsibilities to their tenants and the wider community. This case featured hazards and lack of proper management of properties which were putting the health, safety and welfare of the tenants at risk and I’m pleased that this prosecution has resulted in a guilty plea.”
The successful prosecution comes as the City Council launches a campaign to highlight what the City Council is doing and what tenants can do to tackle issued caused by rogue landlords. To report a rogue landlord visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/roguelandlord or telephone 0115 9152020.
Notes for Editors
Mandatory licensing has been operating across England since 2006. It requires HMOs of a certain description (3 or more storeys and 5 or more occupants) to be licensed. Landlords have to apply to the Local Authority to obtain a licence.
Since 1st January 2014 Nottingham City Council has implemented an additional licensing scheme, covering HMOs in certain areas of the City. For more information visit www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/additionalHMO or telephone 0115 9152020.
