A landlord has been slapped with a £14,000 fine for letting unlicensed flats in Holloway Road following legal action by the Town Hall.

Landhouse Ltd pleaded guilty at Highbury Magistrates’ Court to operating a house in multiple occupation (HMO) – where different households live under one roof, sharing bathrooms and kitchens – without a licence.

The company was fined £12,700 and ordered to pay Islington Council’s legal costs of £1,320, and a £120 victim surcharge.

An inspection by the council’s environmental health team found the property to be overcrowded, poorly managed and found evidence of fire hazards.

Last year the Town Hall extended licensing requirements to cover all HMOs on Holloway Road and Caledonian Road. Council research has shown there to be poor management of many rented properties in both streets.

• Keywords
  FINES, LETTING AGENTS (PRIVATE HOUSING), FLATS
• Geographical keyword
  HOLLOWAY ROAD
• Persons keyword
  Highbury Magistrates Court