Housing Solicitors

Oxford City Council has taken court action against the landlord of an unlicensed house in multiple occupation (HMO), in the first prosecution of its kind in the city.

Clive Balfour White, 49, of Vetch Place in Oxford was prosecuted after an Environmental Health Officer from Oxford City Council investigated a house owned by him on Moorbank in July 2016.

The property was identified using data analysis of council systems – and a visit identified four tenants living in two flats which did not have planning permission – and did not comply with the safety requirements of building regulations.

White also failed to return a legal notice to the council, requiring him to provide information about the property.

At Oxford Magistrates’ Court, he pleaded guilty an offence of managing an unlicensed HMO and the offence of failing to return the legal notice.

White was fined £250 for each offence – and was ordered to pay surcharges and council costs of £480.

After sentencing, Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services at Oxford City Council, Patsy Dell, said:

“The law is catching up with rogue landlords who flout planning and building regulations and unlawfully sub-divide properties to maximise the rent.

“They are considered to be HMOs and require licensing, so we can use our full range of powers to take action.

“This property has now been turned back into a house.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on: