Officers at Haringey Council first attended the property on Dawlish Road after receiving reports that it was being used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). During the initial visit, they were unable to confirm any evidence of such use.
A further follow-up inspection with the landlord present found the property to be in single-family use, with multiple issues of disrepair. During this visit, officers repeatedly warned the landlord about his responsibilities and the legal requirements to licence the property.
Since November 2022, in the East of Haringey, it is a legal requirement to license properties rented to single families under the council’s Selective Property Licensing scheme. Following an investigation, the landlord was found in breach of these regulations.
Officers also uncovered questionable council tax exemptions, raising concerns the property had been wrongly declared as vacant.
Despite receiving several warnings, the landlord failed to take corrective action, prompting the council to issue a formal Notice of Intent to impose a financial penalty.
Despite a last-minute licence application, the council issued a £10,000 fine due to the property’s long-standing unlicensed rental history, poor conditions, and the landlord’s harassment of the remaining tenant, who had mental health needs.
Cllr Sarah Williams, cabinet member for housing and planning and deputy leader of the council, said: “Landlords in Haringey are legally required to meet their responsibilities. This case sends a strong signal – our officers will pursue the facts and take action where standards are breached.
“We simply will not tolerate unsafe, unlicensed rental homes. Every resident deserves decent, secure housing, and where landlords fall short, we’ll step in to protect our communities.”
