Three rogue landlords have been fined a total of £403,079 for operating a network of unlicensed and unsafe HMOs, labelled “an orchestrated system of neglect for financial gain”.

The offences involved eight properties across Northampton, in Talbot Road, Bailiff Street, St Michaels Mount, Robert Street, The Headlands, Chalcombe Avenue, and Spinney Hill Road.

It comes only weeks after West Northamptonshire Council led an investigation which resulted in another three rogue landlords being fined £452,796 for similar offences in the town.

In the most recent case, the authority’s private sector housing team began investigating Khurram Jamil, Tahir Butt and Dumitru Sava in 2019, following a tip-off by residents. Officers issued a housing warrant, and a property inspection revealed a network of HMOs that breached rules around fire safety, tenant rights, and property maintenance.

In sentencing, the district judge identified Jamil, of Northampton, as the orchestrator of the scheme. He received a £252,000 fine and was ordered to pay a contribution to the council’s investigation costs of £11,072, and a £181 victim surcharge.

Butt, of Northampton, was fined £54,000, along with £11,072 towards the council’s investigation costs, and a £181 victim surcharge, while Sava, of Northampton, was fined £60,000, with £14,302 in investigation costs and a £181 victim surcharge.

Orchestrated system

Councillor Rosie Herring (pictured), cabinet member for housing, says this was an orchestrated system of neglect for financial gain, showing complete disregard for safety and wellbeing. “While our housing team can’t monitor every property, we are committed to taking swift action when we uncover evidence of wrongdoing,” she adds.

“I encourage anyone with concerns about rental properties to report them through our website so that we can make private renting safer for everyone in West Northamptonshire.”

In the previous case, Faiz Hameed, of Pitsford, Ahmed Saeed, of Northampton, and Victoria Cebotari, also of Northampton, all received hefty fines for operating unsafe and unlicensed HMOs in Obelisk Rise, Aynho Crescent, Hinton Road, Chalcombe Avenue, Kingsland Avenue, and Culworth Crescent.