Islington Council has prosecuted a Holloway landlady of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) for disobeying an order to limit its use to one household.<br><br>On 28 June 2005, Mrs MH Constantinou, landlady of 17 Cardozo Road, Holloway was fined £1,000 in Highbury Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay £670 in costs to Islington Council.<br><br>Under the Housing Act 1985 (section 354), local authorities can limit the number of households and persons who can occupy a property. <br><br>The council’s residential environmental health officers, were called to the property when a tenant alerted them that the nine bed roomed property had only one kitchen and did not meet minimum standards for fire safety (it had no fire alarm or detection system).<br><br>Homes in multiple occupancy have to have an acceptable number of kitchens and bathrooms. <br><br>The property was let to as many as 20 people at a time, and had problems with dampness. Mrs Constantinou was ordered to do the necessary works to bring the house into good condition and meet legal requirements, but these were not carried out and she had continued to let the property.<br><br>Councillor Jyoti Vaja, executive member for housing and community safety said: <br><br>“Islington Council will use its powers to protect tenants health and safety in bedsits, hostels or shared houses.<br><br>We repeatedly warned this landlady to make the improvements required - but she ignored us.<br><br>The message from this prosecution is simple: we will protect vulnerable tenants by enforcing the law." <br><br>The prosecution comes as the council is preparing to introduce the compulsory licensing of HMOs under the new Housing Act 2004, which will take effect in October 2005.<br><br>HMOs include houses containing bedsits, shared houses and hostels. Local authorities will need to license HMOs with three or more storeys and more than five occupants.<br><br>Islington Council is currently consulting on its draft policy on HMO licensing<br>and other changes to the regulation of the private rented sector as a result of the Housing Act 2004.<br><br>A consultation open day on 12 July will give landlords and tenants the chance to comment on Islington’s draft policy. The policy is also available on the council website (www.islington.gov.uk), 222 Upper Street, Islington or by telephoning 0207 527 3083.<br><br>ENDS
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009