A landlord in Bognor Regis has been found guilty and ordered to pay £562 for operating an unlicensed HMO.
Following an inspection of the property, Arun District Council officers found it was being rented to at least five individual tenants.
The property did not hold the required licence under the government's mandatory scheme.
The landlord, Mr Sebastian Orszak, 47, of Orchard Way, Bognor Regis, submitted a guilty plea and in December 2024, was ordered by Crawley Magistrates' Court to pay £562, which included a fine of £223, victim surcharge of £89 and costs to the council of £250.
Councillor Sue Wallsgrove, Chair of the Environment Committee at Arun District Council, said: “The significance of this offence is not to be underestimated.
“HMO licensing schemes are in place to protect the health and safety of tenants and ensure that rented accommodation is maintained to a high standard.
“The HMO team are proactive in their enforcement so our message to landlords is clear — licence your properties or face prosecution or a civil penalty notice."
Mr Orszak now has a criminal conviction which he will have to declare, meaning he will not be allowed to hold an HMO licence.
