A landlord in Essex has been handed a significant fine after it was found he was housing workers in properties that did not have the proper licences required by law.
Jayanti Patel, who is the Director of Martlane Ltd, was fined a total of £60,200 for operating three Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) without securing the correct permissions.
The investigation was carried out by Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) after concerns were raised about several properties being used as shared accommodation for staff members.
During inspections, council officers uncovered a number of serious breaches of housing standards across these properties. These included the absence of legally required fire alarms, which put residents at significant risk.
The properties were also found to be overcrowded, with too many tenants sharing limited facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms, further breaching regulations set out for HMOs.
In total, Patel faced six separate offences covering the three properties located in different parts of the Epping Forest district. The scale of these breaches demonstrated a worrying lack of compliance with basic housing laws.
Following the council’s action, Patel has since started working closely with EFDC to bring the properties up to the standards expected, ensuring they are now safer and more suitable for tenants.
Despite this, the council stressed that these steps should have been taken from the outset, rather than only after enforcement proceedings were launched against the landlord.
A spokesperson for Epping Forest District Council highlighted the authority’s determination to clamp down on landlords who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.
They stated: “It highlights our zero-tolerance approach to landlords who operate unlicensed sub-standard accommodation and sends a clear message that EFDC will take enforcement action where necessary.”
The council added that situations like this are entirely preventable if landlords ensure they have the correct licences in place and take proactive measures to meet required housing standards.
Operating HMOs comes with important legal duties designed to protect tenants, including adequate fire safety measures, suitable living conditions, and the proper management of shared spaces.
Cases like this underline the risks faced by tenants when landlords cut corners, and the financial consequences landlords can face if they fail to comply with regulations.
Ultimately, the fine serves as a reminder to all landlords that failing to licence HMOs not only breaches the law but also jeopardises tenant safety and community wellbeing.
EFDC concluded by thanking the local residents who raised concerns, emphasising that strong enforcement helps create fairer, safer housing across the borough for everyone