Big London Council Hits HMO Landlords with £18,000 Fine
Barking & Dagenham Council fined Colin and Susan Woodward £18,000 for running an unlicensed HMO in Dagenham, east London. The council acts firmly to keep rental homes safe and legal.
Case Background
Colin and Susan Woodward bought the HMO property at 414 Dagenham Road in June 2016. They applied for an HMO licence in August 2019. The council granted the licence in September 2019. In early 2020, the Planning Enforcement Team told the Woodwards they must get planning permission for the HMO. They then applied for permission. The application was refused in January 2020. A Planning Enforcement Notice ordered them to stop the HMO use and turn the property back into a single home. The couple chose to fight the order. Their appeals to the Planning Inspectorate were turned down. The deadline for change came in May 2021. ## Non-Compliance Leads to Legal Action
In November 2021, the council found the couple still ran the HMO. They ignored the order and kept the HMO open. The case went to Barkingside Magistrates Court. At first, the Woodwards pleaded not guilty. In August 2024, they changed their plea to guilty. The court fined each of them £6,000. An extra £3,000 was charged for the council’s legal costs.
Council’s Statement on Enforcement
Councillor Syed Ghani, who leads Enforcement and Community Safety for the council, said: "We work to keep every property in line with our planning rules. We took steps against Mr. and Mrs. Woodward when they ignored our warnings. They received several chances to fix the matter but did not act, so we had to go to court."
This case shows a common trend among London councils. Many are tightening rules around HMOs to keep tenants safe and protect local standards.
Implications for Landlords
This ruling reminds landlords in the HMO market to follow local planning rules. Not obeying the rules can lead to heavy fines. It may also hurt their reputation and future rental work. Those who wish to invest in HMOs must check all licensing needs and local rules.
As rental rules change, landlords and investors must learn their legal duties and stick to planning rules, especially in busy areas like London.
Conclusion
The £18,000 fine on Colin and Susan Woodward shows that Barking & Dagenham Council takes housing rules and tenant rights very seriously. The case also marks a pattern of local authorities watching illegal HMO operations closely. Landlords who act early to meet rules can avoid legal trouble and keep a stable rental income.
Sources
- Barking & Dagenham Council: Enforcement Actions
- Planning Inspectorate: Planning Appeals
- London Assembly Housing Committee: HMO Regulations Overview
- Rent Smart Wales: Your Guide to HMO Licensing
By using clear sources and straightforward guidelines, landlords can learn how to manage property while following all rules that protect the community.
Disclaimer: This article has been generated by AI based on the latest news from Google News sources. While we strive for accuracy, we recommend verifying key details from official reports.
