A landlord in Egham, Surrey, has been fined £12,000 after converting a three-bedroom bungalow into a 15-room unlicensed house of multiple occupancy (HMO) with severe safety and habitability violations. The case, prosecuted by Runnymede Borough Council, exposed a range of hazardous conditions that placed tenants at risk.

The bungalow, located on St Pauls Road, was found to have rooms as small as 3.48 square metres, well below the legal minimum of 6.51 square metres. Council inspections revealed multiple safety issues, including inadequate smoke alarms, mould, and substandard fire separation. In one instance, a mattress was placed in a loft room so cramped it could only be accessed by crawling. Tenants reported paying between £85 and £125 per week for these unsafe living conditions.

The property lacked essential amenities, with just one small kitchen and two bathrooms for up to 15 residents. Construction methods were deemed shoddy, and some rooms had no natural light. Additionally, a fridge under the stairs created a significant fire risk, and outdoor communal areas were found cluttered with rubbish.

The landlord, Mona Jetwani, pleaded guilty to 10 charges under the Housing Act 2004, including operating an unlicensed HMO, failing to provide a gas safety report, and breaching fire safety regulations. Despite claiming ignorance of licensing requirements, the court highlighted her actions as motivated by profit at the expense of vulnerable tenants.

The Council was alerted to the situation through anonymous tips and faced obstruction from Jetwani during initial inspections. A warrant was eventually required to enter the property and conduct a full investigation.

This case underscores the importance of regulatory compliance in HMO management and serves as a stark warning to landlords who neglect tenant safety.

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