Coventry City Council said it had issued its first Interim Management Order as a result of the landlord’s “persistent” failure to licence the property in Monks Road, Coventry.
Complaints had been made by the occupants around having been left without power. An investigation from the council established that the property was operating as an HMO without licence, alongside multiple breaches of HMO management rules.
The landlord was given several months in order to licence the property, but has still failed to do so, resulting in the council taking over management of the property. As a result, tenants will now pay their rent to the council, with the council responsible for protecting the health and well-being of the occupants. However, the landlord remains responsible for any mortgage payments.
A clear message to landlords
Councillor David Welsh, cabinet member for housing and communities at Coventry City Council, said that this action sent a clear message to landlords that it would use its powers to take over the running of HMOs if rules were not followed.
He continued: “The level of the financial penalty notice highlights the severe punishments that can be levied to those who flout the law. These fines are then ring-fenced for use by the team to further their enforcement work.”
Adrian Chowns, property licensing and housing enforcement manager, added: “Our officers have worked tirelessly in the city to promote the HMO licensing scheme and to ensure that where landlords abandon their duties and responsibilities, the team is ready to step in to protect tenants and use the full range of enforcement powers at their disposal.”
Previously a rogue landlord has been fined for asking his tenants to cover the cost of getting an HMO licence, while some within the industry have suggested that the fall in the number of HMOs is a result of the “tough” licensing rules.
