Hastings landlord fined for licence breaches at house in multiple occupation

Joanna Hodgson pleaded guilty at Worthing Magistrates Court on November 7 to seven offences of failing to comply with licence conditions as required under the terms of her HMO licence.

The offences included failing to ensure the emergency lighting system was maintained and tested, failing to provide a protected means of escape from the building, failing to provide an interlinked fire alarm system between the dwellings and failure to ensure the common arts of the property were maintained in good repair.

Councillor Kim Forward, Hastings Borough Council’s lead member for housing, said: “The council has a duty to protect tenants from rogue landlords and the licensing controls set agreed standards that should always be met by landlords.

“We take these issues very seriously indeed and the council will continue to seek out unlicensed properties and prosecute owners who ignore requests to licence their properties.”

Hodgson was fined £5,250 with £682 costs.

The property is currently undergoing renovation and a full fire alarm system and emergency lighting has now been fitted.

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