Letting agent ordered to pay nearly £50k over housing offences

A letting agent has been ordered to pay almost £50,000 in fines and costs after it was found guilty of a string of housing offences.

The London Borough of Hounslow prosecuted Key Property (UK) Ltd of 47 Bell Road, Hounslow, which trades under the name Key Solutions and Key Lettings, after investigating a property in Cromwell Street.

At a hearing at Feltham Magistrates Court earlier this month Key Property (UK) was found guilty of 15 offences, fined £42,500 and ordered to pay £5,040 in compensation and costs.

The council’s investigation – prompted by complaints from tenants in July 2012 – discovered a range of defects, including electrical hazards, problems with sanitation and drainage, fire safety and hygiene.

The local authority said a boiler at the property which had been turned off by the manufacturer due to its unsafe installation had been switched back on.

Key Property (UK) had also failed to obtain a licence under the house in multiple occupation regime.

Cllr Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration at the London Borough of Hounslow, said: “The fact the fine for failing to have an HMO licence is one of the largest in the country shows the seriousness of the offences.

“[The letting agent] tried to avoid their legal responsibilities, but thanks to the hard work of our housing team, we were able to successfully prosecute them.”