An HMO landlord has been fined £7,500 by Portsmouth City Council after an officer found a family of three living in a single room.
The property was licensed to accommodate five people in separate bedrooms, while the landlord was applying to increase the amount to six occupants.
However the overcrowded room meant there were already seven in the property when the council undertook the inspection.
The landlord had used an agent to manage the property on their behalf, both of which were fined by the council.
The landlord appealed against the fine, saying he wasn’t responsible for ensuring the property was correctly occupied – however he was deemed responsible, as the named HMO license holder.
Councillor Lee Hunt, cabinet member for community safety, leisure and sport, said: “Residents living around HMOs can be assured that the council will go after landlords and agents who don’t stick to the rules. People living in shared housing must not be exploited.”
After the tribunal the family was relocated to a more suitable property.
