Posted 12.06.15
A property letting company that failed to apply for House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) licences at three properties in north Birmingham has been fined £8,000 at Birmingham magistrates' court.
The company failed to apply for licences for three properties at Church Road and Chester Road in Erdington and Rectory Road in Sutton Coldfield. It was fined £1,500 for each of the three offences, plus £500 each for seven breaches of HMO management regulations. They were also ordered to pay full costs of £2,631 and a victim surcharge of £120.
An HMO licence ensures management standards and housing conditions are maintained and includes a requirement for basic safety, including means of escape from fire.
At the Rectory Road property, the letting company failed to ensure the means of escape from fire was maintained and there were holes in the ceiling around service pipes. They also failed to ensure fire fighting equipment and fire alarms were in good working order.
At Chester Road there was a similar breach of HMO regulations regarding means of escape from fire. Additionally, there was no fire blanket in the communal kitchen, no smoke detectors where required in communal areas, and insanitary conditions and inadequate provision for the disposal of rubbish.
The prosecution was brought by the HMO licensing team at Birmingham City Council.
