A landlord has been found guilty of operating eight unlicensed HMOs and a range of breaches of the HMO Management Regulations.

Northampton Magistrates Court has found Faiz Hammed and three others guilty of operating the eight properties across Northampton without a licence under the Housing Act 2004.

West Northamptonshire council initially inspected the properties in late 2019 and early 2022. During this time officers found a significant number of failings in the HMOs regarding fire safety, cleanliness and maintenance, and effective arrangements for the disposal of waste.

At the court hearing the District Judge described Hammed as being the ‘controlling mind of the operation’, which also included his brother Ahmed Saeed – who pleaded guilty to his involvement with one of the properties – and Victoria Cebotari, who pleaded guilty to her involvement in two of the properties.

Waheed Ahmed, a further relation to Faiz Hameed, pleaded guilty to his involvement with one of the properties and has been sentenced previously. The District Judge deferred sentencing in the case to March next year.

A council spokesperson says: “Residents’ health and safety was put at serious risk because of this landlord who defied the laws which are there to protect people and keep them safe.

“I am pleased the courts have recognised the seriousness of these offences and hope that the sentencing will act as an example to deter other rogue landlords and persuade them to comply with the law in future.

“I would urge anyone with concerns about a HMO to report it via our website so that we can carry out an investigation and make renting safer for residents in West Northamptonshire.”