As a landlord, in order to be compliant, you have to adhere to over 140 Government statutes and regulations.
A recent case we’ve sourced here and published below shows it’s direct impact.
Jeffrey Hu aka Weijie Hu, from Hallfield Estate, and company Bewel Property Ltd were successfully prosecuted by Westminster City Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and fined after being found to have inadequately managed two properties, which were described by council officers as being in a “pretty dreadful state”.
One of the properties, a three-storey, four-bedroom town house in Tenniel Close, Bayswater, was home to at least six young professionals during the council’s investigation, and yet council officers found a dangerous electric cooker hob which had exposed live electrical cable and a charred board underneath. The electric cable had been haphazardly joined together with tape, posing a risk of electrocution.
Officers also found unsafe and rotten bedroom balcony guarding which with further deterioration increased the risk of someone falling, at least 16ft from the second floor.
“I wouldn’t stay there and I doubt you would,” said district Judge Roscoe, during sentencing.
The other property, a three-storey property in Edenham Way, Kensington and Chelsea, which was home to at least six tenants, was found to lack a safe means of escape in the event of a fire and a failure to supply gas and electrical certificates.
Cllr Antonia Cox, cabinet member public protection and licensing, said: “Mr Hu endangered his tenants’ lives through a complete disregard for their health and wellbeing. His tenants paid rent to live in what amounted to a death-trap. This case should be a warning to rogue landlords that Westminster City Council will ensure they pay heavily through their pockets for housing people in poor conditions.”
At rentmyhometoday, we have a whole team dedicated to keeping up with the latest legislation, ensuring our landlords are compliant, and therefore mitigating their risk of being prosecuted and fined.
Did you know that if you have not protected the tenant’s deposit correctly and served the correct documentation, you’ll not be able to issue a Section 21 notice to your tenant?
This kind of detail, often overlooked by inexperienced landlords, leads to financial loss and emotional stress.
Rouge landlord Suhail Mahmood was convicted at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court and was told to pay fines totalling £3,700.00 for what was deemed an illegal eviction. The landlord was prosecuted by Sheffield City Council, after telling one of his tenants to move out and subsequently removing and changing locks only days later. Mr Mahmood was told to pay £700 in tenant compensation, fined £2,000 and £1,000 in court costs.
When it comes to the legal side of renting a property, it is essential landlords are compliant.
We’ve discussed the potential fines born from non-compliance.
Above all fines, a tenant’s health and wellbeing is paramount while in your rental property.
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