Warwick District Council continues to clamp down on landlords who fail to manage, maintain and licence their properties.
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- Council: Warwick District Council
- Fine: £50,000
- Costs: £1,323.04
- Total: £51,323.04
Following a trawl of Letting Agents Web sites properties for let were discovered for rent and had no house in multiple occupation Licences.
Harmesh Bagga, landlord of 3 properties let through Ignite Properties to students in Royal Leamington Spa has been fined £50,000 plus costs for failing to properly manage and obtain licences for each of his properties let in multiple occupation
Magistrates at Nuneaton Justice Centre heard that Harmesh Bagga had let 2 properties in Warwick Street from September 2013 and a property in Clarendon Avenue since September 2012 without obtaining licences.
Before imposing the fine Magistrates told Mr Bagga they were appalled at what they had heard and the offences were serious in that his failure to licence and manage could cause injury and endanger lives.
Officers inspected all 3 properties in January 2014 and discovered a number of breaches of the Management Regulations including a disabled fire alarm system, means of escape and stairways partially blocked plus inadequate fire separation from commercial property.
There was particular concern because the accommodation is above food premises where there is an increased risk of fire to occupiers living above.
Councillor Vincett, Housing Portfolio Member, Warwick District Council said “The vast majority of landlords work well with the Council and provide good quality accommodation. However my officers will not hesitate to enforce the law where tenants health and safety is at risk and landlords blatantly disregard the law.
This case follows four other prosecutions of landlords through the Courts earlier this year.
The Private Sector Housing Team works hard to safeguard vulnerable tenants in the sector and I encourage all landlords and tenants who require advice, help or support to contact the team on 01926 456733 or via e mail to [email protected]
Futher Information
- The Housing Act 2004 requires Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation for 3 storey properties occupied by 5 or more tenants sharing amenities. The Council can set conditions to the licence including the use of rooms and numbers of people in occupation.
- This is a statutory obligation on the Council due to the increase risk of injury and death in large Houses in Multiple Occupation
- It is an offence to breach any licence conditions
