An Islington landlord has been found guilty of failing to properly licence his premises following a prosecution brought by Islington Council.<br><br>On 13 March 2007, Mr Ramesh Mehta the owner of a house in multiple occupation (HMO) was ordered in his absence to pay a £5,000 fine and £818.79 costs at Highbury Magistrates Court. <br><br>The Housing Act 2004 requires landlords of HMOs to hold a special licence indicating how many kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms their properties have.<br><br>Cllr Terry Stacy, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Housing and Communities, commented, "Everyone needs a basic standard of accommodation.<br><br>"HMO licences are required by law to protect tenants in rented property. It's an effective way of driving up housing standards."<br><br>"Landlords take note - make sure you have properly licensed your property or you risk receiving a significant fine."<br><br>From 6 July 2006, any landlord of an HMO must hold a licence and local authorities can inspect properties they suspect to be non-compliant.<br><br>The licensing mechanism makes sure minimum standards for washing and cooking facilities are met. <br><br>The offences were in connection with a property at 5 MacKenzie Road, N7.<br><br>Despite warnings and requests to comply with the required legislation from Islington Council's residential environmental health service, Mr Mehta still failed to apply for and hold an HMO licence.<br><br>ENDS<br><br>Notes for editors:<br><br>For further information about houses in multiple occupation licensing visit:<br>www.islington.gov.uk/Housing/PrivateHousing/hmolicensing.asp<br><br><br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009