'Rogue' student landlord fined for failing to obtain HMO licences

Birmingham City Council has successfully prosecuted a landlord who failed to obtain Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licences from the council.

Mr Mohammed Sajad Akbar, of Moseley, pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court and has been fined a total of £14, 591.

Mr Akbar had rented four properties to students in Selly Oak, without securing a licence.  His failure to licence his properties included a fine of £3,300 for each property and prosecution costs.

Since April 2006, there has been a requirement to licence houses of three storeys or more, occupied by 5 or more tenants, who have no family connection and share amenities such as a bathroom or kitchen.

The licence covers basic standards and means of escape from fire to ensure safe housing for tenants in the private rented sector.

Mr Akbar had been contacted by the council on numerous occasions since July 2007, urging him to apply and provide the required information but he failed to comply.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor John Lines said: “I am committed to driving up standards across all forms of housing in this City and to make all rented homes safe and decent for the tenants who live there.

“I am determined that landlords comply with the basic requirements of the licence conditions to ensure tenants live in a safe home.

"We are working closely with landlords in Birmingham to raise standards of their housing but will have no hesitation in enforcing the law and recommending prosecution of landlords who blatantly flout the law.

“Selly Oak has a high student population and we work closely with the Birmingham’s universities through the accreditation scheme to raise housing standards and help reassure students and their parents who come to Birmingham to study.”

Mary Latham, West Midlands' representative of the National Landlords Association and Chair of Homestamp, added her support to the council's ambitions to drive up standards of homes in Birmingham and root out rogue landlords.

Landlords who think their houses meet the criteria are being encouraged to call the HMO Licensing Helpline on 303 4009 as soon as possible.