A Nottingham landlord has been fined £6,000 for failing to licence a property which had nine people living inside it.
Sanaur Rahman, aged 48, of Beauvale Road in The Meadows, was sentenced on Monday (9 September) after previously admitting the offence under the Housing Act 2004 at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. He has been fined £6,000 with a £170 victim surcharge and £1,583.18 costs.
Rahman had been brought in front of the courts by Nottingham City Council’s Safer Housing Team after concerns were raised about a property he owns at 142 Wilford Grove.
This is a large house in multiple occupation that at the time had nine people living inside. It therefore falls within mandatory licensing, but no licence had been sought by Mr Rahman.
It was again brought to the attention of the team a few weeks later after a licence application received for the property was refused, and no further application was received.
Councillor Linda Woodings, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Heritage at Nottingham City Council, said: “This is an important result for us and an example of why we carry out the hard work that we do behind the scenes.
“Renting out a large city-centre property to nine people without the correct licences in place is a flagrant breach of a landlord’s basic responsibilities to his tenants. These licences are required so that we can be sure properties are maintained to the correct standards for the safety and comfort of those living there.
“Prosecutions remain a last resort for the Council but we make no apology for bringing landlords like Mr Rahman before the courts when necessary. He is well known to our Safer Housing Team and has been prosecuted in the past for failing to licence a house of multiple occupation, and has previously admitted failings around the maintenance of firefighting equipment and smoke alarms.
“Unfortunately it seems that Mr Rahman has continually placed profit ahead of ensuring that his property was suitable and safe for the numbers of people renting from him.”
The Safer Housing Team would urge anyone who wishes to report a landlord who has failed to licence their property to contact the call centre on 0115 915 2020, option 3.
For information on how to find a good private-rented home through the Nottingham Standard visit our website www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/information-for-residents/housing/private-sector-housing