Haringey Council the north London authority has issued a statement bragging about it has so far this year slapped agents and landlords with fines adding up to over £100,000 for not licencing HMOs (houses in multiple occupation).

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Since 2019 Haringey council introduced a borough wide additional HMO licensing scheme to “ensure landlords take maximum responsibility”, those agents and landlords found renting out unlicensed HMO properties faced Civil Penalty Notice fines as high as the maximum penalty of £30,000.

In the first six months of this year Haringey Council has handed out fines totalling £108,000 to landlords and letting agents for not licensing their rental HMO properties.

“Anyone found to be deliberately avoiding licencing will be subject to a Civil Penalty Notice (CPN) which can lead to a maximum penalty of £30,000.”

Renters who live in unlicensed HMOs are able to apply for Rent Repayment Orders which could see them receive up to 12 months’ rent repaid back to them.

Eubert Malcolm, Assistant Director for Stronger and Safer Communities, at Haringey Council, said: "Our priority is and always will be to protect our tenants welfare and ensure they live in safe, well-maintained homes.

“These fines send a clear message that we will not tolerate negligence from landlords and letting agents.

“We are committed to upholding high standards for all rental properties in Haringey."