Ipswich landlord whose tenants slept under stairs fined
He pleaded guilty to failing to license a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO)
Last updated 29th Apr 2021
The landlord of a property in Ipswich, where people were sleeping in an under-stairs cupboard, has been fined.
Martyn Williams, of Park Road in Needham Market, was ordered to pay more than £11,500 in fines and legal costs for failing to licence an HMO following a trial this week (27 April).
Ipswich Borough Council launched an investigation into the Reading Road property in August 2019 following complaints from neighbours and information from another council.
Council officers, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and Suffolk Police searched the property in February 2020.
The inspection found it was occupied by 12 people, with some sleeping in an under-stairs cupboard which also had the electrical distribution board.
There was also no fire alarm system or fire safety measures, and a key would be required to leave the property.
According to the council, there was a "significant" amount of disrepair within the property, including serious electrical defects.
Williams was fined £4,000 and ordered to pay £7596 in costs.
Ian Blofield, Head of Housing and Community Services at IBC, said:
"HMOs must be licensed to both help better ensure the safety and comfort of residents as well as the impact of the property on the area. Failure to licence an HMO is an offence. This will be met with enforcement action which can result in a criminal conviction."