London borough secures £207k+ in fines for failure to license house in multiple occupation

Landlords in Haringey who have failed to license their houses in multiple occupation (HMO) have been issued with fines amounting to £207,500.

The London borough said that, to date, 59 warnings had been given to landlords who had rented out their unlicensed HMO property to at least three people who are not from the same household but share facilities like a bathroom and kitchen. 43 of these notices led to fines.

Landlords who rent their HMOs without a licence are not only at risk of receiving a civil penalty notice from the council but could also be instructed to pay back rent to tenants.

Cllr Sarah Williams, Haringey’s Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters and Planning, said: “We will do everything in our power to protect our residents in the private rented sector in Haringey. Our HMO licencing scheme provides us with an even better platform to do this.

“Whilst we continue this journey to improve housing standards across the borough, we will fight for renters’ rights and ensure residents across Haringey live in homes that are well managed, of good quality and most of all, safe.

“As shown with this case, landlords who fail to comply will face tough enforcement action. Rogue landlords will not be tolerated in Haringey.”