A landlord has been fined nearly £5,000 after operating an unlicensed HMO, breaching the required regulations in both 2024 and 2025.
Souhil Laib, director of Laib Property Investment Limited, was found guilty in both instances after investigations and prosecutions by Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
Laib became “person in control” of the premises - eight flats in Tylorstown, Wales - in 2021.
He was first notified in March 2022 that he needed an HMO licence following a building survey report. The council’s environmental health officers worked with him for two years after this to help get him a licence, but during this time a legal notice was issued by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service in relation to inadequate fire precautions at the premises.
Another inspection also found widespread issues of damp, poor lighting and faults with stair treads at the property.
This led to Laib and his property company being found guilty in absence at Merthyr Magistrates Court of operating an unlicensed HMO on 13 March 2024.
At this point, Laib and the company were given a combined fine of £2,278 which included fines, costs and victim surcharges.
However, Laib still failed to obtain an HMO licence and the matter was once again taken to court where he was found guilty again on 23 January 2025.
Again, Laib and his company were fined, this time £2,586 once costs and victim surcharges were included.
Overall, fines of £4,864 have been issued over this matter.
"Landlords have a duty to proactively manage all of their properties, routinely identifying and resolving problems as they arise and Mr Laib ignored a multitude of attempts, which not only broke the law but could have put the safety of his tenants at risk,” said councillor Bob Harris, cabinet member for public health and communities at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council.
"The Council is committed to creating safe and strong communities and we'll always take action against rogue landlords who flout the rules."
