A Gravesend landlord has been ordered to pay almost £35,000 in fines and costs in relation to offences connected with an unlicensed town centre House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Lalli Sidhu of Gravesham Let & Management Ltd, was issued with fines for a number of offences following an investigation into a property in Parrock Street, Gravesend, by Gravesham Borough Council in August 2024.
Investigators found that despite not being licensed as an HMO, the property was home to two families and a total of seven people, for which Sidhu was issued with a £17,500 fine.
Additionally, Sidhu had failed in his duty to provide relevant information to the occupiers, 14 instances of failing to take required safety measures, and seven of failing to maintain the property. For these offences, he was fined a total of £16,875.
Sidhu failed to pay and as a result Gravesham Council successfully pursued payment through the courts.
Orders issued by Dartford County Court now require Sidhu to pay a total of £34,375, including court costs.
Cllr Karina O’Malley, Gravesham Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Services, said:“Protecting the interests, health, and safety of tenants in the private sector in the borough is one of our highest priorities. There are very clear regulations governing HMOs, and where we find landlords flouting those, we will take action against them.
“These will only be reinforced when the new Renters Rights Act comes into force on 1 May, which will give us extra enforcement powers and leave those who flout the law facing increased penalties.We are grateful to the county court for their support in this case and will be recovering the fines owned by the landlord.
Anyone with concerns over private rented properties in the borough can email private.housing@gravesham.gov.uk in confidence or report them online.