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A Northampton rental agent has been fined a total of £25,800 after a serious safety issue was discovered in a Northampton share house.
West Northamptonshire Council executed the warrant after concerns were raised about the safety of the Latterworth Road site last May.
During an inspection, the electricity meter was found to have been tampered with, seriously endangering the safety of the four people living there. The council has directed an electrician to be present at the property to carry out emergency work to make the property safe.
In addition to dangerous electrical installations, many fire safety violations were identified, such as poorly maintained fire doors and missing smoke detectors.
In December 2022, the Council fined J&KO Property Ltd’s Zivile Aksinaviciene £25,000 for breaching the terms of a multi-occupation housing (HMO) license. She was given three months to appeal this decision, but that has now passed.
Anyone in the business of renting or property management must belong to a property relief scheme that gives tenants the opportunity to seek independent help if their concerns are ignored by the landlord or management agent. Mm. Aksinaviciene was not part of any such scheme and was fined a further £800.
Following the execution of the warrant, the owner took back responsibility for the property and did further work to make it safe.
The West Northamptonshire Council says the case highlights not only the importance of having HMO properties licensed, but also the need to maintain properties so that residents are not endangered.
Adam Brown, WNC Minister for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said:
“The housing team cannot visit every property, but this case shows that when people reach out to us with concerns, we take action.”