A council has prosecuted a private landlord after serious housing safety failures were uncovered at an HMO. 

Anita Sharma has been fined £4,000 after Lincoln council prosecuted her for seven breaches of housing management regulations.

Sharma pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 following an investigation by the council’s Housing Standards and Enforcement Team.

The case began after tenants raised concerns about conditions at the property, and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue identified immediate fire safety risks during a visit in January 2025.

Following this, the council carried out inspections and identified multiple serious hazards, including fire safety failures, electrical risks, damp and disrepair. 

Due to the imminent risk of serious harm to occupants, the council served an Emergency Prohibition Order on the property.

Sharma was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £2,000 towards the council’s costs. A court surcharge of £800 was also imposed.

In a related matter, a second individual acting on behalf of the landlord accepted a simple caution in relation to an offence under the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

A council spokesperson says: “Everyone deserves to live in a safe, secure and well-maintained home. This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting tenants and taking action against landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

“The conditions identified at this property presented serious risks to the health and safety of the people living there. We welcome the court’s decision and hope it sends a clear message that poor housing management and breaches of housing regulations will not be tolerated in Lincoln.

“Our Housing Standards and Enforcement Team will continue to investigate complaints and take robust enforcement action where necessary to improve housing standards across the city and protect residents.”