Landlord who ‘ignored responsibilities’ given criminal conviction and £18,000 fine

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A landlord who failed to licence her six properties has ended up with a criminal conviction and hefty fines totalling nearly £18,000.

London Land Holdings Ltd, London Land Holdings 1 Ltd and sole director of both companies, Susannah Meisner, were charged with operating a property without a licence and failure to comply with a statutory nuisance abatement notice in relation to broken toilets in one of the properties in Greenwatt Way, Primary Road, Slough (pictured). 

Reading Magistrates Court heard that Slough Borough Council’s housing department had made many failed attempts to engage the landlords about selective licences and repairs.

Meisner told the court that the companies were set up to buy the properties and she had handed over control and responsibility to her husband.

She denied having any involvement with their day-to-day running. 

Delegated

Giving evidence, her husband Joel Fried said he had delegated everything to do with the property to another person and was under the impression the licensing had been done.

He confirmed another management company was now dealing with the properties. 

London Land Holdings was fined £3,236 with costs of £1,553, London Land Holdings 1 was fined £5,393 with costs of £1,553 plus a surcharge of £108 and Meisner was fined £4,228 with costs of £1,553. 

Councillor Puja Bedi (picgtured) lead member for transport, housing, highways, the environment and environmental services, says landlords can’t just ignore their legal responsibilities to tenants or ignore repeated contact from the council.

She adds. “We hope other landlords learn a lesson, will be responsive to issues reported and will ensure they have all the necessary licences to operate, for the protection of themselves and their tenants.”

The council has received licence applications from the newly appointed managing agent and will work with it to tidy up the site and make repairs.

Read more about licencing enforcement.

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