UK Landlord Ordered to Pay £32,400 in Fines

Mr. Alexander Begun, a UK private landlord, was ordered to pay a huge fine of £32,400 by Camden Council. He was found guilty of putting his tenants at risk of fire and of failing to licence an HMO (house in multiple occupation).
The prosecution of Mr. Begun was started by Camden Council when its investigators found out that the HMO located in Hornby Close was lacking basic fire safety units such as fire detection and/or alarm systems, fire doors, etc. The property was also missing several doors, which fact coupled with the above-mentioned shortcomings would definitely contribute to quick spread of fire, should it occur.
The house in multiple occupation, owned by Mr. Begun, was let to 7 tenants. The agreements with them were signed through 2 management companies – BP Associates Limited and Blix – both of which had Mr. Alexander Begun employed as a director. That is why Camden Council’s prosecution targeted not only the landlord, but both of his businesses as well.
The prosecution resulted in Mr. Begun and the firms being found guilty of 12 offences, which included failure to licence an HMO, 8 various failures to meet fire safety standards, and, finally, 3 offences associated with property management.
BP Associates Limited and Blix were fined £13,800 each; Mr. Begun was fined £4,800. The total that Mr. Began has to pay as a landlord and as firms’ director, amounts to £32,400, the first £5,000 of which are due by 29th March, 2010.
Moreover, the Council will carry out further investigation to determine whether Mr. Begun and his companies are “fit and proper” to hold licences for other HMO that they currently own in Camden.
Mr. Chris Knight, Chancellor at Camden Council, is determined that Council’s actions will show other landlords that failure to meet safety standards and putting the life of tenants at risk by following illegal practices will never tolerated by local authorities.