Unsuspecting landlords have been fined up to £45,000 for failing to have the correct licences, new figures have shown.
Landlords of “houses in multiple occupation”, those with five or more tenants, are required to have a licence – the cost of which can vary between local authorities.
Failure to obtain this can result in landlords being fined and being forced to repay rent to tenants. London landlords have been ordered to pay up to £45,000 for failing to have an HMO licence, according to council data obtained via a freedom of information request lodged by The Telegraph.