Landlord fined in landmark ruling to protect houses with multiple tenants

Landlords are being warned that they will face prosecution if they do not obtain licences for multiple tenant properties, after a landmark court case.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has issued the warning to ensure large, privately rented houses meet necessary safety regulations and minimum standards.

The crackdown comes after the authority carried out its first prosecution in 15 years on a landlord who didn’t obtain the Houses in Multiple Occupation licence. Such licences are required under the Housing Act 2004 and are for properties that are typically three storeys or more high, with shared facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms.

The council’s housing standards team hauled landlord Jaspal Dadhria through the law courts after he repeatedly failed to obtain licences for three properties in Ashford Street and Seaford Street, Shelton.

Magistrates sitting in Fenton were told last Wednesday (20 July) that 43-year-old Dadhria, who lives in Bedford, had let the properties to a total of 17 students. However, he failed to return multiple occupancy licence application forms from as far back as 24 November 2009.

Dadhria was fined £750 for each property and ordered to pay the council’s court costs. Following the court ruling, the authority has now also written to all of the tenants to inform them they are able to claim their rent back for the period when the houses did not have a licence. Dadhria must apply for licences for all three properties and pay a fee of £1,650 before the houses can be re-let.

Councillor Gwen Hassall, cabinet member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: “The prosecution sends out a clear message that this council will not tolerate landlords who deliberately flout housing laws. Multiple occupation licences are required to protect tenants, to ensure that large properties meet the necessary health and safety standards. In this case, Dadhria repeatedly failed to apply for a licence. He also, on at least two occasions, failed to attend meetings with the council about the case.

“It is fortunate that in this instance, council inspections found the properties to be of a reasonable standard. But without the required licence to ensure minimum safeguards are met, it is not possible to know this.

“We are committed to driving up the standard of houses in the city, and to
tackling privately rented properties, where appropriate. We are determined
to do all we can to help raise the living conditions and quality of life of city
residents.”

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For all media enquiries contact Andrew Brunt in the Communications
Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782 232671.