A landlord with four properties in Birmingham has been issued with a large fine after he failed to obtain the necessary House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence for the homes.
Inderjit Singh Panesar, 39, from Solihull, owned the properties in Selly Oak through his firm, JPS Properties UK Ltd. He housed a total of 25 student tenants in the four homes and had not applied for an HMO for any of them, despite being an “experienced” landlord.
Mr Singh Panesar was prosecuted at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court and ordered to pay £8,420, which included a victim surcharge of £120, after pleading guilty to failing to apply for the required licences.
Cllr John Cotton, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for health and well-being, said: “Mr Panesar and his company failed to apply to the council for HMO licences for four properties despite being both an experienced businessman and portfolio landlord who would have been well aware of the law.
“This meant that we were unable to ensure that the properties complied with national regulations and he could have put his 25 student tenants at risk. I want to assure tenants across the city that we will prosecute landlords who break the law. I would also urge landlords who are unsure of the licensing requirements to contact the council immediately.”
The HMO licence requirement has been in place since April 2006. It means that all landlords who own houses of three storeys or more, which are occupied by five tenants or more in two or more households sharing a bathroom or kitchen, must apply for the licence before renting the home out.