Fire Safety Breaches: Illegal HMO Landlord Charged
A landlord broke housing rules. She used a bungalow in Egham, Surrey as an unlicensed home with many rooms. Runnymede Borough Council reported that fire rules were not met and that tenants were at risk.
The Appalling Situation
Mona Jetwani, 53, changed a three-bedroom bungalow into a 15-room house. A tip from a local made the council check the property. Inspectors found that workers used weak building methods. They saw four extra rooms in the loft. Some rooms measured only 3.48 square metres, while the law needs 6.51 square metres per habitable room.
Fire Safety Concerns
The inspection found many fire safety problems:
- Few smoke alarms, and they were not linked.
- Gaps in wall partitions that hurt fire protection.
- A fridge placed under the stairs blocked a clear escape route.
These mistakes broke fire rules and put tenants at risk. A council representative called the state of the property “shocking” and said no such case had occurred before.
Legal Action Taken
Jetwani faces ten charges under the Housing Act 2004. She broke rules by:
- Running a home without the right licence.
- Not showing a gas safety report.
- Not following fire safety rules and room size laws.
On 27 November 2024, District Judge Cooper said many tenants had low incomes and spoke English as a second language. He noted that her work aimed mostly at profit, and she took shortcuts in building the rooms. Jetwani was fined £12,000 and must pay a £2,000 victim surcharge. The fine was lowered from £18,000 because she pleaded guilty early.
A Call for Vigilance
Runnymede Borough Council said local tips helped start the check. They ask people to report unsafe or unlicensed homes. The council puts safety first. This case warns landlords and property buyers to obey the laws. Most landlords follow the rules. Regular checks help protect tenants from harm.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Mona Jetwani shows that following housing rules is a must. For property buyers, knowing and following housing laws can keep investments safe and protect lives. When locals report problems, the community stays secure.
Sources
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.
