A Portsmouth-based lettings agency has been hit with a huge fine and awarded community service by Portsmouth Crown Court for a number of unlicensed multi-occupation homes (HMOs) whose owners operated under lease agreements. It was done.
Portsmouth City Council officers suspected the properties were unlicensed and overcrowded and attempted to visit them, but were refused entry by the tenants. The tenants had been instructed by authorities not to allow staff to enter. 
The council had to obtain a warrant from the magistrates' court for forced entry, and a subsequent visit confirmed the property was an unauthorized HMO. After that, the director of the agency allegedly harassed the tenants who sought eviction without following the proper procedures.
guilty plea
When the case went to court, the director of the rental agency was charged with multiple charges under the Eviction Protection Act of 1977 and the Unlicensed Management of Multi-Occupation Housing and Management of Multi-Occupation Housing Regulations. Pleaded guilty to failure to comply.
He was given 200 hours of community service and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £114 for the harassment and eviction offenses.
The agency was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of more than £9,000 to the council.
They were vulnerable and did not know their rights. ”
The director was ordered to pay £19,150 and the agent £5,750 for offenses relating to unauthorized premises.
In sentencing, the judge commented as follows: “You were in a position of power and you were holding the roof key over their heads. They were in a vulnerable position and didn’t know their rights… Local government officials had no right to enter the premises. You, the landlord, should have done the same to ensure the welfare of your tenants. ”
Currently, the homes are rented and managed directly by the owners, and tenants are paid two months' rent as compensation.
Cllr Leigh Hunt, cabinet member for community safety, said: “The council will continue to prosecute rogue landlords and agents who breach HMO rules to protect tenants and neighbors alike.” Homes that are not properly licensed or overcrowded will be discovered and we will use the full force of the law. ”
