PAL

HMO landlord fined over 50K

A letting agent, based in North London, that owns and manages two properties in Hatfield has been ordered to pay £42,596 in fines and full costs of £10,626 to Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, plus a victim surcharge of £170. Lettings of London Ltd were handed this fine after pleading guilty to 18 offences relating to two houses in multiple occupation (HMO).

Council officers carried out an initial inspection of the properties, 25 and 32 Goldings crescent in Hatfield, in 2018, and found that the fire safety equipment in both houses had not been maintained in good working order, as well as other deficiencies.

The defendant was charged with 18 offences relating to both properties, including there being no working fire alarms or fire blankets, the self-closers on fire doors not working, emergency lighting not working, and loose coping stones and rusted metal handrails on an external stair case outside one of the properties.

PAL aims to work with landlords to ensure their properties are meeting legal requirements, we also offer a free legal helpline for all members of the scheme.

Tenants who are looking for good quality accommodation should use the PAL website’s search portal in order to find accredited properties.