A landlord who let their HMO fall into disrepair and failed to fix the issues despite multiple warnings has been fined £31,840.
The landlord, who operated via the company Epson Pars Limited, ran a 21 room HMO in Epson Downs, Surrey.
The Reigate & Banstead Borough Council ordered the landlord to make remedial works after officers visited the HMO, describing it as “cold”, “damp”, “filthy” and a “firetrap”.
After the issues weren’t sorted, the council took Epsom Pars Limited to Magistrates Court, with the company pleading guilty to 48 criminal charges, including multiple disrepair and fire safety offences.
Councillor Rich Michalowski, executive member for place, planning and regulatory services, said: “This case underscores the importance of landlords being held accountable to ensure tenants are living in safe, well-maintained homes.
“Reigate and Banstead enforcement teams, armed with legal powers, will continue to take action against those who fail to meet the legal standards, ensuring that unsafe and unfit housing has no place in our Borough.”
There was a failure to maintain fire prevention systems, with the court saying the landlord put the tenants at serious risk.
Before issuing the fine the council’s Private Sector Housing team was in contact with the landlord for months, issuing warnings and outlining the repairs required.
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