London landlord fined £10,000 for turning family home into HMO for nine people across seven households

A couple have been fined £10,000 after nine people were found living in their north London family home.

Haringey Council discovered seven different households were living at the unlicensed, three-storey property.

Under council rules properties with five or more people who are not all related, or use it as their main home, must have an HMO license.

The couple, who are portfolio landlords in the borough, also received enforcement notices for non-compliance.

Following council action the property is now licenced and the fine has been paid in full.

It comes after a rogue landlord who illegally converted a home into six flats was ordered to pay more than £220,000 in March.

Pathfield Estates Ltd was required to pay £163,258 to reflect its financial benefit from breaching the enforcement notice at the property in Bounds Green.

The landlord was also required to pay a £50,000 fine for not complying with an enforcement notice and £13,175 in legal costs.

In a separate incident in November, a rogue landlord who left tenants living opposite Hyde Park in damp-ridden conditions and cooking their food on camping stoves has been fined nearly half a million pounds.

A Tottenham landlord was also ordered to repay their tenants £20,000 in December after failing to licence their property.

Councillor Sarah Williams, deputy leader of Haringey Council and cabinet member housing and planning, said: “This case underlines the crucial need for landlords to license their HMOs.

“Licensing is essential to ensure that properties comply with the necessary standards and to protect tenants.

“The safety and well-being of our residents is a top priority, and we are committed to taking all necessary measures to protect them.”