Fines Issued to Unlicensed HMOs in Gravesend
Gravesend exhibits enforcement; Gravesham Borough Council imposed penalties by linking fines directly to unlicensed HMOs. The council connects a total fine of £27,500 to two cases: one case—landlord on Granville Road—with £10,000, and another—managing agent on Parrock Street—with £17,500. The enforcement aligns with last year’s program that bound property registration to licensure status and resident count.
The housing team of the council pursues investigations by attaching scrutiny to unlicensed HMOs. An HMO, defined as a dwelling hosting five or more individuals, demands a licence that remains valid for five years, and violations trigger steep financial penalties. The regulation, built on direct dependencies between occupancy and certification, dictates heavy sanctions when requirements fail.
In summary, Gravesend now treats unlicensed HMOs as targets, with penalties linked tightly to licensure and occupancy standards, consolidating municipal oversight for safety and residential order.
