Owners of buildings that house more than one family in Gravesham are being urged to ensure they are meeting all their legal responsibilities ahead of a crackdown on unlicensed properties.
The council’s private housing team will be carrying out checks on HMOs in the borough later this year but is giving landlords the opportunity to work with them before then to ensure all the necessary documentation is in place so they are operating legally and without the fear of prosecution.
Cllr Jenny Wallace, Gravesham Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing services, said: “Everyone who lives in the Gravesham area should be secure in the knowledge they live in a safe home.
“While the majority of private landlords in the Borough ensure their properties meet all legal requirements, there are some who may not be fully aware of their responsibilities and a very small minority who may simply ignore those requirements.”
She added: “The penalties for managing an HMO without a licence are severe, with the potential of facing prosecution at magistrates’ court, an unlimited fine, a banning order, and being added to the rogue landlord database.
“I would urge any landlords who are in any doubt about whether their properties meet all the required standards to talk to us now, before we come calling on them later.”
