Three HMO landlords have been found guilty in court of running eight unlicensed properties and fined a total of £452,796 by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) for serious licensing and safety breaches. was imposed.
The fines relate to HMO properties across Northampton, which the council said had serious fire safety deficiencies, insufficient tenant information and poor building maintenance. 
The investigation was carried out in 2019 after safety concerns were raised about the trio's properties at Obelisk Rise (pictured), Ainyo Crescent, Hinton Road, Chalcombe Avenue, Kingsland Avenue and Culworth Crescent. It was started in .
major failure
Council officers entered the premises with a housing warrant in November 2019 to collect evidence.
When the case finally reached Northampton Magistrates Court in October, the district judge emphasized that Faiz Hameed, of Pittsford, was the “controller” of the company.
It was found that he “ignored important housing standards and put tenants at risk through improper permits, fire safety violations and inadequate maintenance.”
Hameed was fined £312,000, ordered to pay £23,250 in investigation costs and pay a £181 victim surcharge.
These penalties reflect the seriousness of the crime committed. ”
Fellow Northampton-based landlord Ahmed Said was fined £34,000, including costs of £13,675 and a victim surcharge of £181.
The remaining landlord, Victoria Cebotari, also of Northampton, was fined £60,000, including costs of £9,328 and a victim surcharge.
Councilor Rosie Herring, cabinet member for housing, said: “Our private housing teams have worked tirelessly to ensure our tenants have access to safe, secure and law-compliant housing. It reflects.”
“We will continue to pursue those who flout the law and hold them accountable.”
Learn more about fines for agents and landlords.
