A rogue landlord has been fined a whopping £115,181 for operating four poorly run and unlicensed HMOs.
West Northamptonshire Council’s private sector housing team inspected the four properties, including one at 93 St Michaels Road, Northampton (pictured), in March 2020 under a housing warrant after complaints were raised about noise concerns, fly-tipping and piles of waste.
All four were found to be unlicensed and each had significant defects.
Northampton Magistrates Court heard how the tenants were vulnerable and that there was a reasonable expectation landlord Stephen Cunningham would provide a safe home.
However, without the intervention of the council, nothing would have been done to improve living conditions for his tenants.
Huge fine
Cunningham was ordered to pay a £100,000 fine, £15,000 in costs to the council and a £181 statutory victim surcharge.
Councillor Adam Brown (pictured), deputy leader and cabinet member for housing, culture and leisure, says it is a landlord’s responsibility to maintain their properties and ensure they don’t become a burden on the community.
“In this case, it is clear from the complaints received that the landlord had little respect for the tenants or the area in which the property is situated,” he adds.
“I hope this prosecution is a warning to all rogue landlords as our housing team are committed to making renting safer for our residents and stopping rogue and criminal landlords. This case demonstrates that we will act when members of the public contact us with their concerns.”
