Landlord wins 15% discount after huge fine for HMO offences

A landlord has been fined more than £42,000 in penalties after running an unsafe and unlicensed House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO).

The penalties, totalling £42,300 were issued for:

• Running an unlicensed HMO
• Failing to properly manage the property and keep tenants safe.

Gateshead council’s investigation found a number of serious fire safety and management problems at the three-storey property, which was occupied by seven people from six households.

Among the problems identified were:

• A faulty and inadequate fire alarm system
• No emergency lighting
• No fire blanket in the kitchen
• Defective fire doors
• Obstructions in escape routes
• Bedroom and exit doors that required keys to open from the inside
• A lack of proper safety checks, inspections and records.
• A failure to respond to requests for information and documents to support the investigation.

Council officers also found evidence that the property had been operating as an HMO for a significant period without the legally required licence in place.

Following the issuing of the penalties, the landlord paid within 28 days and received a 15% discount under the Council’s enforcement policy.

A council spokesperson says: “Landlords have a legal duty to make sure the homes they rent out are safe and properly managed.

“In this case, the conditions found at the property were unacceptable and could have put tenants at serious risk, especially in the event of a fire.

“We work closely with landlords across Gateshead to help raise and maintain standards. Tenant safety will always come first, and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where standards fall below what is required by law.”

Additional HMO licensing was introduced in parts of Gateshead in June 2025.

This article is taken from Landlord Today