Oxford landlord Hans Raj, has been fined £12,000 for breaches including fire safety, at a property he rented to six people. He pleaded guilty to a variety of offences.
Raj did not have a licence to operate a HMO and after an inspection by Oxford County Council revealed that there was no fire door between the hallway and kitchen and no ‘adequate fire resistance’ under the stairs.
Raj admitted failing to register as a HMO and promised to ensure a means of escape from fire was maintained in good order and the internal structure of the home and ventilation was in good repair.
He admitted failing to reasonably ensure the occupiers were protected from injury, failing to keep windows and ventilation in good repair, and failing to ensure the common parts of the house were in good and clean repair.
The largest fine was £5,000 for not having a HMO licence, with fines for the other offences between £1,000 and £1,500.
He was ordered to pay £750 costs and a £120 victim surcharge.
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Comments
Rather than blanket licensing, would a better idea be to force any landlords that get fined, prosecuted or have notices issued to either employ reputable management companies that would ensure their properties are correctly maintained and let or put the landlord under some sort of license (which they would pay for) which would involve regular inspections, reports etc on their properties?