London,
15
December
2016
|
16:12
Europe/London

Four-figure fine for unlicensed house in multiple occupation shared by FOURTEEN people

A property company that owns a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in King’s Cross has received a large fine for failing to have a licence.

On Thursday, 8 December 2016 Kingscroft Estates LLP pleaded guilty to failing to license a house in Hurdwick Place and two breaches of HMO regulations at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court. All HMOs in Camden require a licence.

Kingscroft Estates LLP were fined £4,000 for the three offences and also have to pay legal costs and surcharges of £4,540.

When visiting on Thursday, 30 June 2016, Camden environmental health officers found tenants were able to access an unguarded flat roof, rat droppings in a lower ground storage room and 14 people sharing one small kitchen.

Cllr Pat Callaghan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing
 “As people get more and more desperate amid a London-wide housing crisis, we’re focused on protecting the rights of private tenants by ensuring their accommodation is suitable, safe and provides value for money.

“We’re also building new social and affordable housing through our Community Investment Programme to provide more housing options for our residents.

“We will vigorously prosecute any Landlord who fails to respect their tenants.”
Cllr Pat Callaghan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing

A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is defined as a property occupied by three or more persons (including children) who form more than one household. This includes most buildings converted into self-contained flats.