Green House Estate Agents, based in Edmonton, did not obtain licences for three residential properties, along with failing to provide information to Enfield Council.
All three properties should have been licensed under Enfield’s selective licensing scheme, which applies to all privately rented residential properties in the borough which are occupied by one or two persons, or single families.
An investigation by Enfield Council found that the properties were in a state of disrepair, with issues including damp and a lack of fire safety provision.
The judge at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court ordered the firm to pay a £35,000 fine, as well as the legal costs of £2,348. A £2,000 surcharge in each prosecution was also imposed.
Councillor Susan Erbil, the cabinet member for licensing, planning and regulatory services at Enfield Council, noted that there are plenty of law-abiding landlords in the borough, and that the council is ready to help advise them to ensure their properties are properly licensed and reach the required standards.
She added: “Unfortunately, there are also landlords who break the law by not obtaining the legally required licence to let their properties. The council’s successful prosecution of Green House Estates should be a wake up call to all unscrupulous landlords who do not comply with the law.”
