Tottenham landlord and agents fined £27,500 for renting home to eight people

A north London landlord and two letting agents have been fined £27,500 after renting a home to eight people without the correct licence.

Haringey Council discovered that eight tenants from different households were living together in Tottenham despite the landlord not having a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence.

The council said both the landlord and letting agents had neglected their legal obligations and compromised the wellbeing of their tenants.

One of the letting agencies later tried to declare insolvency to avoid paying the fine but was prevented from doing so by a Haringey enforcing officer working with Companies House.

The case follows a number of similar cases in the borough, including one couple who had secretly rented their family home to nine people from seven different households.

Haringey Council discovered seven different households were living at the unlicensed, three-storey property.

Under council rules properties with five or more people who are not all related, or use it as their main home, must have an HMO licence.

A rogue landlord who illegally converted a home into six flats was also ordered to pay more than £220,000 in March.

Pathfield Estates Ltd was required to pay £163,258 to reflect its financial benefit from breaching the enforcement notice at the property in Bounds Green.Eubert Malcolm, Assistant Director for Stronger and Safer Communities, at Haringey Council, said: “As shown with this case, we are committed to ensuring homes in Haringey are safe and regulated for our residents.

“It is imperative that landlords and letting agents adhere to the legal requirements to not only avoid prosecution, but also protect and maintain high housing standards in Haringey.

“Our residents have always been at the core of everything we do, and we will continue to go above and beyond for their safety.”