A council has publicised its role in a rent Repayment Order that has cost a landlord £8,000.

The Rent Repayment Order followed an investigation by Haringey council in London after reports of mould, fire hazards and a collapsed ceiling at the property. 

A First-tier Tribunal found that the landlord had been operating the flat without the required HMO licence and ordered them to repay £7,884.84 in rent, plus £341 in application and hearing fees. 

The former tenant, who lived at the property between May 2023 and May 2024, brought the application after discovering no HMO licence was in place despite the flat being occupied by three people from separate households. 

The tenant also raised concerns about the property’s condition, including a ceiling collapse, extensive mould in communal areas, blocked kitchen facilities, exposed pipework and a lack of basic fire safety measures such as fire doors and smoke alarms. 

The Tribunal ruled that the property met the legal definition of an HMO and required a licence throughout the tenancy. As no licence had been obtained, the landlord had committed an offence by managing an unlicensed HMO. 

The Tribunal also noted that the landlord had previously been the subject of a separate Rent Repayment Order involving another property, indicating a pattern of non-compliance with licensing requirements. 

The council deputy leader, Tammy Hymas, has issued a statement saying: “This case sends a clear message to landlords: if you’re breaking the law, we’re coming after you. 

“This landlord thought they could collect rent while ignoring their legal responsibilities. 

“Thanks to the determination of the tenant and the work of our enforcement team, they have now been ordered to pay that money back. 

“We are stepping up inspections, strengthening enforcement and taking tougher action against landlords who fail to meet the standards our residents deserve. 

“Cases like this show there are consequences for breaking the rules.”