An unnamed landlord has been fined more than £3,500 after an HMO in Cambridge was found to have been unlicensed.

After receiving a complaint from a tenant of the property, Cambridge council investigated and found it had not been licensed since October 2021, meaning it was potentially unsafe for the tenants living there.

In March this year the landlord was issued with a Financial Penalty Notice for the offence totalling £3,528.54.

The council utilised enforcement powers, under the amended Housing Act 2004, meaning it can issue a civil penalty as an alternative to prosecution, in relation to certain Housing Act offences.

In addition to serving the Financial Penalty Notice the council team ensured other deficiencies within the property were remedied. The necessary mandatory HMO licence has now been granted, with an additional condition requiring the owner to undertake recognised landlord training within six months, and the fine has been paid in full.

Gerri Bird, executive councillor for Housing, says: “The majority of landlords within the city provide a good standard of accommodation. However Cambridge council is committed to tackling the minority of landlords who put their tenants’ health and safety at risk by failing to comply with housing regulations, including getting HMOs within the city licensed with the council where necessary.

“The legal power to issue civil penalties is an important tool and is used alongside powers to take formal legal action when necessary. We hope that the enforcement action taken by our Environmental Health team will set an example to other landlords who fail to license their properties, and provide unsafe accommodation in Cambridge.”