Javeed Hossain, a London-based landlord, has been prosecuted by the London Borough of Hillingdon Council for allowing too many tenants to live in his rental property in Harlington.
Mr Hossain’s three-storey property was used as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO); however, it lacked the required fire safety measures.
Following a local council investigation, the landlord was ordered to obtain a HMO licence.
He was also told to install a suitable fire warning and protection system, as well as being informed that a maximum of six tenants would be allowed to live in the property.
However, Mr Hossain was later found to have ignored the rules of his HMO licence by housing ten tenants at the property, when council officers performed another inspection.
The landlord had also failed to install a fire safety system, despite being told that it was a legal requirement.
Mr Hossain was found guilty of failing to comply with the Housing Act HMO licence at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.
He was served with a fine of £11,000, a victim surcharge of £120, and the council was awarded full costs of £884.
Councillor Keith Burrows, Cabinet Member for Planning, Transportation and Recycling at Hillingdon Council, said: “He put his greed before their welfare by cramming too many people into the house and pocketing the rent.
“I am pleased that the courts have imposed such a heavy fine on Mr Hossain, reflecting the seriousness of his offences.”
Local authorities across England and Wales have been cracking down on any landlords failing to follow the appropriate housing rules, and the amount being charged through court fines shows no sign of decreasing.