Three rogue landlords who operated a string of unlicensed and unsafe HMOs across Northampton have been collectively fined a whopping £452,796.
This is undderstood to be the largest in recent times, topping a £450,000 fine in 2019 for a landlord in Southall, West London.
Northampton’s magistrates court heard that West Northamptonshire Council’s investigation began four years following safety concerns about multiple properties on Obelisk Rise, Aynho Crescent (pictured), Hinton Road, Chalcombe Avenue, Kingsland Avenue, and Culworth Crescent.
Its private sector housing team used a housing warrant to gather evidence at eight unlicensed properties where they found serious fire safety failings, inadequate tenant information, and poor property maintenance.C
A district judge said Faiz Hameed, of Pitsford, was the “controlling mind” in the enterprise. Hameed was found to have disregarded essential housing standards, endangering tenants through inadequate licensing, fire safety violations, and poor maintenance.
He was handed a £312,000 fine along with a contribution of £23,250 towards the council’s investigation costs and a victim surcharge of £181. Ahmed Saeed, based in Northampton, was fined £34,000, with an additional contribution of £13,675 to investigation costs and a £181 victim surcharge, while Victoria Cebotari, also of Northampton, was fined £60,000, with £9,328 towards costs and a £181 victim surcharge.
Councillor Rosie Herring (pictured), cabinet member for housing, says the case sends a strong message to landlords who neglect their responsibilities and put tenants at risk.
She adds: “Our private sector housing team has worked tirelessly to ensure tenants have access to safe, secure, and compliant homes, and these penalties reflect the severity of the offences committed. We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those who disregard the law.”
Image: Google Streetview/Norhampton council
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