A landlord who rented out his unlicensed, seven-bedroom HMO to 13 tenants has been ordered to pay £3,000.

Kalyan Gurung, of Deepfield Road, Bracknell, admitted operating an unlicensed HMO along with four offences under HMO regulations following an investigation by officers from the Public Protection Partnership’s (West Berkshire Council and Bracknell Forest Council) environmental health housing team.  

After receiving reports of a possible unlicensed HMO, they made an unannounced visit on 31st January and found 13 people living in the two-storey house which has a semi-converted loft.

Toddler

Seven rooms were being used as bedrooms, and the occupants were sharing one bathroom and separate toilet, including a young couple with a toddler and a man in his 90s with obvious medical needs who lived in a room with his elderly wife and a male relative.

They also discovered various hazards including a poorly built lean-to being used as a communal area and a very narrow set of stairs to a loft conversation that contained rodent droppings.

A gas boiler flue vented into the lean-to instead of outside while there was also no central heating, forcing occupants to use plug-in electrical heaters or oil-filled radiators. The high fire risk was exacerbated by further electrical hazards and a gas canister stored in the kitchen.

Gurung was fined £800 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs plus a £200 victim surcharge.

Damian James (pictured), Bracknell Forest Council’s assistant director for contract services, says it works closely with landlords and supports them to meet their legal obligations.

He adds: “However, we do not shy away from taking legal and enforcement action when needed. We hope the outcome of this case sends a strong message to other landlords who breach their duties.”

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