A landlord in London has been landed with one of the largest rent repayment orders so far this year after failing to licence their HMO property in Tottenham.

The unnamed landlord must refund their tenants 12 months’ rent totalling £20,000 and pay a fine of £2,500. They have also been ordered to licence the property for which Haringey council charges £1,210.

The council says the £23,710 total cost to the landlord is part of a clampdown within the borough on those who do not licence properties.

It has operated a borough-wide HMO licencing scheme since 2019 and last month revealed that it wants to renew the scheme next year with a higher fee of £1,310.

During the first scheme, which runs out next year, Haringey has so far issued a total of 46 fines amounting to over £250,000 for non-compliance, with £46,500 of that being issued over the past two months alone.

Failed

“Thanks to the hard work of council officers, legal action has been taken against landlords that have failed to license their properties,” says Councillor Sarah Williams (pictured), Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters and Planning.

“Haringey Council has a zero-tolerance policy to rogue landlords - our licencing scheme is in place for a reason, [namely] to protect Haringey’s private renters by ensuring their homes are safe and well maintained.  

“A tightly regulated and professionalised landlord industry helps protect and promote our good landlords, and creates a safer, healthier, and more accountable rented sector for tenants.

“Our existing HMO licensing scheme needs to be renewed next year so I’d encourage all residents, particularly those living in the private rented sector, to take part in the consultation that will help shape our new scheme.”