houses in multiple occupation
Defending Housing Act Prosecutions including Houses in Multiple Occupation
Local Authority prosecutions of landlords who run unlicensed HMO’s are on the rise. We can assist you if you are a landlord who has received a summons to attend a Magistrates Court and face criminal charges including:
- Being a person with control or management of a Unlicensed HMO (s.61 and s.72(1) of the Housing Act 2004 eg. if you rent out a 3 storey property to 5 or more individuals who are not related and live in separate households
- Breaching HMO Management Regulations eg. failing to ensure that firefighting equipment and fire alarms were maintained in good working order
- Statutory Overcrowding
- Illegal Evictions
The consequences of a conviction are serious. Previously landlords could be fined up to £20,000 for running an unlicensed HMO. Recently the law has changed and the courts can impose an unlimited fine.
Anyone convicted of an unlicensed HMO offence will find it difficult to obtain an HMO licence in future as they are likely to fail the “fit and proper person” test. Company prosecutions are also common and can result in director’s disqualification.
It is therefore vital that you obtain specialist legal advice as soon as possible.
Contact us now to arrange an appointment, for further information or to arrange a callback.
