Letting agent amongst group facing heavy fines for HMO breaches

A letting agent and four landlords face bills totalling more than £20,000 after being prosecuted by Islington Council for operating unlicensed houses in multiple occupation.

Since last September, Islington has extended HMO licensing requirements to cover all HMOs on two well-known addresses in the borough - Holloway Road and Caledonian Road.  

Across the five prosecutions, the court ordered the payment of fines totalling £13,900 and the payment of council costs of over £10,000.  

Relocations in London Ltd. trading as Relocate You of Camden, was found guilty of operating an unlicensed HMO on Sussex Way. Investigations revealed Relocations in London Ltd. had sublet the property, without the owner’s consent. The property was poorly managed, and occupied by eight unrelated persons without a fire detection system installed. Relocations in London Ltd. were ordered by the court to pay £6190 (a fine of £4,000, £2,070 towards costs incurred by the council and a victim surcharge of £120.)

Nessfield Ltd of Holloway Road, Islington, was the first landlord found guilty of operating an unlicensed HMO on Holloway Road under the new additional licensing scheme. The company was found guilty and was fined £2,000 with costs of £1,196, a total of £3,196.

Juzar Jeevanjee, a landlord of Liverpool Road, Islington, on 14 admitted operating an unlicensed HMO. The court ordered Mr. Jeevanjee to pay £4,648 (a fine of £2,500, £2,028 towards costs incurred by the council and a victim surcharge of £120.)

Tony Alan Estates Ltd of Plender Street Camden, on admitted operating an unlicensed HMO on Tabley Road without a licence. The court ordered Tony Alan Estates to pay £7,458.75 (a fine of £3,500, £3,838.75 towards costs incurred by the council and a victim surcharge of £120.)

Nicholas Simpson and Suzanne Simpson admitted operating an unlicensed HMO in Islington. They were each fined £700 and their company Amicable Inns Ltd of Connaught Avenue, Frinton-on-Sea was ordered to pay council costs of £1,500.