Criminal landlords ordered to pay £452,796 in fines for housing offences

05 November 2024

Three landlords operating a series of unlicensed and unsafe Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) have been collectively fined £452,796 for significant breaches under the Housing Act 2004. 

The convictions, secured by West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) Private Sector Housing Team, involve eight unlicensed properties across Northampton, including serious fire safety failings, inadequate tenant information, and poor property maintenance.

The investigation began in 2019, following safety concerns about multiple properties on Obelisk Rise, Aynho Crescent, Hinton Road, Chalcombe Avenue, Kingsland Avenue, and Culworth Crescent. Council officers entered the properties under a Housing Warrant in November 2019 to gather evidence of the ongoing offences.

At Northampton Magistrates Court on 31 October 2024, District Judge highlighted Faiz Hameed of Pitsford as the “controlling mind” in the enterprise. Hameed was found to have disregarded essential housing standards, endangering tenants through inadequate licensing, fire safety violations, and poor maintenance.

Faiz Hameed received a fine of £312,000, along with a contribution of £23,250 towards WNC’s investigation costs and a victim surcharge of £181. In addition, Ahmed Saeed, based in Northampton, was fined £34,000, with an additional contribution of £13,675 to investigation costs and a £181 victim surcharge and Victoria Cebotari, also of Northampton, was fined £60,000, with £9,328 towards costs and a £181 victim surcharge.

"This case sends a strong message to landlords who neglect their responsibilities and put tenants at risk. Our Private Sector Housing Team has worked tirelessly to ensure tenants have access to safe, secure, and compliant homes, and these penalties reflect the severity of the offences committed. We will continue to pursue and hold accountable those who disregard the law."Councillor Rosie Herring, Cabinet Member for Housing