Ali Mohammed failed to disclose to Hastings Borough Council who was in control of a HMO connected to him in Hughenden Road, Hastings.
He did not provide the information despite the council’s frequent attempts to engage with him.
He was found guilty at Hastings Magistrates’ Court on June 24 for failing to respond to a formal request by the council for information required for purposes of the Housing Act 2004.
The court ordered him to pay a £3,000 fine, £1,200 victim surcharge and £3,000 in costs to the council.
This conviction follows a previous successful case involving Jason Adams of Riverstone-Abbey Estate Agents Ltd, who was found guilty in his absence of the same offence for the same property.
Councillor Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council and lead councillor for housing and community safety at Hastings Borough Council, said: “The council is committed to holding non-compliant landlords and those involved in managing rental properties accountable and will take further action against those who fail to engage with us in order to protect the safety and rights of tenants across the borough.
“We are pleased that the judge found Mr Mohammed guilty of this offence and hope this serves as a clear warning to other landlords that if they fail to engage with us, despite repeated opportunities, we will not hesitate to take further action to protect those in the rental sector.”
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