Major fine imposed ‘should act as a lesson to all l...

A buy-to-let landlord has been fined almost £34,000 for putting tenants at risk.

Harbhajan Singh Dhami pleaded guilty to not one, but 32 housing offences at a HMO (house in multiple occupation) in Merridale Lane, Wolverhampton.

Fire hazards, electrical issues, damp and a pile of waste were among the main issues found by inspectors last summer at the property, which had been converted into flats without consent, making it a HMO that should be regulated under the HMO regulations.

Dhami, of Ednam Road, Wolverhampton, and his company Dhami Accommodation Ltd, received fines, charges and costs totalling £33,995, at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court.

Cllr Peter Bilson, deputy leader and cabinet member for city assets and housing, said: “We are determined to bring to task landlords who are not complying with housing laws and building regulations.

“Our residents’ health and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and this case should act as a lesson to all landlords in the private sector.

“Thankfully, the majority of landlords in Wolverhampton abide by the rules and regulations and co-operate with the council.

“The council takes very seriously its commitment to monitoring the private housing sector and we will continue to do so to ensure tenants’ living standards are of the highest quality.”

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