Landlord fined£2,000 for ignoring council's requests

News Category: Legal

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A landlord has been hit with a fine of £2,000 after refusing to co-operate with a local council's requests to clarify his interest in a property.

Varinder Jit Gill had not responded to a series of legal notices from the London Borough of Hounslow which was seeking to establish whether a property he owned in Feltham was a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

He was also ordered to pay costs of £3,000 by Brentford Magistrates' Court, which prosecuted him under Section 16(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

Councillor Phil Andrews told residentiallandlord.co.uk: "We want to have a good relationship with landlords in Hounslow and with the vast majority this is true, but where there is a blanket refusal to co-operate with a simple request that relates to tenants' health and safety, we will use every means possible, including legal measures, to achieve that.

"This prosecution will send out a clear message. Work with us, or face the consequences. For Mr Gill, this is certainly not an end to this matter."

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