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Written by rosalind renshaw

A Bristol firm has been fined £4,000 because it did not have a licence for an HMO.

Digs (Bristol), which describes itself as a private group of student landlords, manages properties with more than 1,000 rooms in the city.

On top of the fine, it was also ordered to pay costs totalling £1,549.78 and a £15 victim surcharge. It also faces the possibility that the tenants in the property could seek to recover their rent.

The firm, which was taken to court by Bristol City Council, admitted a breach of the Housing Act 2004 which requires all properties of three storeys or more, with five unrelated sharers or more living in two or more households, to be licensed.

Councillor Anthony Negus, cabinet member for housing, said: “This prosecution sends out a very clear message that landlords of HMOs who fail to abide by the law can expect to face action.

“There is no place in Bristol for rogue landlords. Everyone that lets out a large house of multiple occupation is required to have a licence and to abide by its conditions in order to ensure that their property is safe and fit for purpose.

“Bristol City Council has a good track record of working with landlords and providing them with help and support.

“However, those who choose to operate outside the law should understand that they are liable to prosecution by the authority.”

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