Landlord penalised for licensing and safety breaches

News Category: Legal

This article was brought to you by Rentman the premium property management system.

Landlords have been warned to ensure their properties are properly licensed and maintained after a private landlord was fined for failing to comply with legal requirements.

The Cambridge News reports that landlord Khalid Malik was made to pay a total of £3,500 after it was found that a multi-occupancy property leased by him was unlicensed and in a state of disrepair.

Among the conditions discovered at the location by council officers were a blocked fire escape, broken smoke alarms and severe damage to the roof of the bathroom.

Catherine Smart, executive councillor for housing, said: "This [ruling] sends out a very clear message to all landlords … that the city council will take appropriate enforcement action to protect tenants who live in these types of properties."

Earlier this week, the London Borough of Hounslow became the first to extend landlord licensing regulations to include all owners of rented properties over two storeys high and with more than four occupants.

How to stay legally compliant with letting agent software