Two private landlords in Haringey have been ordered to pay almost £30,000 for serious breaches of property licensing rules.
Selective licensing scheme enforcement
In the first case, council officers visited a property on Dawlish Road in Tottenham after receiving reports that it was being used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). During the initial visit, there was no evidence of HMO use.
A follow-up inspection with the landlord present found the property was occupied by a single family but suffering from multiple disrepair issues.
During the visit, officers repeatedly warned the landlord about his responsibilities and the legal requirements to get the property licensed. In the east of the borough it is a legal requirement to license properties rented to single families under the council’s selective licensing scheme. No licence application had been submitted for this property.
Officers also uncovered questionable council tax exemptions, raising concerns the property had been wrongly declared as vacant.
Despite receiving clear guidance and multiple warnings, the landlord failed to take corrective action, prompting the council to issue a notice of intent to impose a financial penalty.
Despite a last-minute licence application, the council issued a £10,000 penalty due to the property’s long-standing unlicensed rental history, poor conditions and the landlord’s harassment of the remaining tenant who had mental health needs.
Substantial penalty for unlicensed HMO
In the second case, council officers visited a private rented property several times during autumn 2024 to gather evidence it was being rented by the room. A follow-up visit in November 2024 uncovered a tenancy agreement showing the property had been operating as an HMO since August 2023 and it had not been licensed.
The landlord was issued with a civil financial penalty of £23,500 for this HMO licensing breach. As the landlord paid the fine within 28 days of receiving the final penalty notice, he benefited from a 15% early payment discount, reducing the penalty to £19,975.
The high level of fine reflected the large size of the landlord’s portfolio and knowingly breaching the licensing rules as they already had other properties that were licensed under the council’s scheme.
An HMO licence application was eventually submitted by the owner to bring the property into compliance. The landlord was granted a shorter one year rather than five year licence to reflect their wrong doing.
Cllr Sarah Williams, Haringey Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning and Deputy Leader of the Council, said:
“Landlords who knowingly breach licensing laws will not get away with it – we’re taking firm action, and the consequences are real.
“These rules aren’t optional. Tenants deserve safe, well-kept homes, and we won’t tolerate those who undermine that standard. We remain committed in our mission to enforce housing law and defend the rights of renters across the borough.”
Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restrictions in Haringey is available here.
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