A CITY landlord has been fined almost £3,000 for operating an unlicensed shared house on Canterbury Road.
Mohammed Rafiq appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on October 4 accused of operating an unlicensed House of Multiple Occupation and fined £2,783.
City council chiefs began an investigation last November when told Rafiq had been operating the premises illegally.
After numerous attempts to contact him proved unsuccessful, the council began legal action.
He was also charged with three offences for breaches of the management of Houses in Multiple Occupation regulations: failing to supply firefighting equipment and having insufficient fire alarms, failing to install emergency lighting and the failure to display his name, address and contact details at the house.
The landlord didn’t attend the hearing and in addition to the fine, the tenants who lived in the unlicensed property are entitled to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent.
“The majority of landlords in Worcester abide by the law but as this case demonstrates, the City Council won’t hesitate to act in cases where landlords exploit tenants, provide dangerous or substandard accommodation or flout their legal obligations,” said Coun James Stanley, chair of Worcester City Council’s Communities Committee.
“I would urge any Worcester residents who are facing difficulties with their tenancy or have concerns about an HMO to contact the City Council’s housing team for advice and support.”
Call 01905 722588 or e-mail [email protected] for more. Visit www.worcester.gov.uk/housing for further information.
