A Birmingham landlord has been handed a record breaking fine for breaching fire safety rules at Houses of Multiple occupation under her ownership.

Leila Amjadi was charged with offences in relation to the failure to obtain HMO licences and for breaches under the HMO Management Regulations.

She was ordered to pay a total fine of £182,314.90, the largest imposed on a landlord in Birmingham.

Ms Amjadi was fined £85,000, ordered to pay full costs to the Council of £22,974.90 and a victim surcharge of £170. In addition to this, she was ordered to pay a compensation order to 11 of the tenants, totalling £22,000.

Ms Amjadi ‘s company, Vertu Capital Ltd was also found guilty of 21 offences relating to two of the HMO properties in Selly Oak and was fined £52,000 plus a victim surcharge of £170.

In 2016, Birmingham City Council officers became aware that Ms Amjadi’s properties were being let without the appropriate HMO licences.

Following inspections by council officers from the private rented service team, 31 breaches of the HMO Management Regulations were found, including missing fire blankets, fire doors that were either missing or inadequate, and smoke detectors which were hanging loose from the ceilings.

The district judge commented that, despite the significant income from her properties, Ms Amjadi was an unscrupulous landlord who did not care for the health and safety of her tenants.

Robert James, Director of Housing at Birmingham City Council said: “We are delighted with the result of this case. This is the largest fine that Birmingham has seen for these type of offences, and it sends out a strong message to all landlords that Birmingham City Council will use all its’ enforcement powers to ensure that tenants are protected from rogue landlords who neglect their responsibilities”.

Original source

Birmingham City Council