By James Simons-
A rogue landlord has been told to pay close to £25,000 after being prosecuted for renting out rooms in an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), which was in breach of fire safety regulations.
Diana Thompson of Barn Way, Wembley, pretended to be a lodger to her tenants who were renting rooms inside her property. However, Brent Council housing enforcement officers received a tip-off from council tax officers that Ms Thompson attempted to claim a single person’s discount, concealing the fact she was living in a home she was renting out to seven other people.
Following a raid of the property by licensing enforcement officer in July last year, Thompson lied that she was a relative of the landlord, claiming the first floor of the property was owned by another landlord.Enforcement officers eventually discovered Thompson was lying to hide her failure to licence a HMO as well as failed to comply with fire safety regulations, they rook action against her.
Property Had no Fire Doors Image: Brent Council
Thompson was ordered to pay fines in total of £20,000 by Willesden Magistrates Court, including £15,000 for failure to licence and £5,000 for failing to comply with fire safety regulations. She was also ordered to pay a further £4,678 in costs and a £170 victim surcharge.
Cllr Eleanor Southwood, cabinet member for Housing and Welfare Reform, commented: “Rogue landlords will not get away with pulling the wool over our eyes. If a landlord or agent is breaking the law, we’ll find out and we’ll hold them accountable.
“Our aim is to drive up housing standards by supporting good landlords and enabling vulnerable tenants to be aware of their rights as renters.”
But the rogue landlady, who owned a two-storey house in Barn Way, has been fined more than £20,000 by Willesden Magistrate’s Court.
Brent Council housing enforcement officers received a tip-off from council tax officers that Ms Thompson was trying to claim a single person’s discount when in fact she was living in a home that she was renting out to seven other people.When they raided the property in July, she lied saying she was related to the landlady and that the first floor of the property was owned by another landlord.