main content Landlord fined in housing prosecution

The landlord of a Beckenham property was fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £769.20 costs to the Council. Mr Timothy Bennett was charged with failing to comply with the requirements of a legal notice in respect of a house in multiple occupation (HMO). The Beckenham High Street landlord failed to appear last week at Bromley Magistrate’s Court and was found guilty in his absence.

“The safety of our residents is a priority for us. We will continue to inspect this type of accommodation. Prosecution is a last resort and we value the co-operation that most landlords give us. However, we will not hesitate to take action against those that disregard the law and compromise on safety.” said Martin Parsons, Head of Residential Services for the Council.

Approximately 2,000 Houses in Multiple Occupation, (HMO’s), exist in the borough. These are converted residential properties which contain multiple flats or bedsits. Landlords of these houses must ensure that the properties are fit for human habitation. Following a complaint by one of the tenants who rented the accommodation, a Council inspection found the property to be unsuitable for the number of occupants due to the lack of fire safety measures.

As part of the investigation Mr Bennett was issued with a Requisition for Information, which required details as to the ownership and his interest in the property. He failed to provide the Council with the requested information.

Landlords who need further information on their responsibilities under the Regulations should contact the Environmental Services team on 020 8313 4830 for advice.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins on 020 8313 4989 or Lisa Tingay on 020 8461 7927 or email amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk.