A landlord has been fined £5,000 for renting out an “abandoned house.”
Josh Ahmad failed to notify Ashford Borough Council who brought the case against Ahmed after finding an empty house filled with tenants.
Council officers suspected five or more people lived at the house. However, an HMO license couldn’t be given and enforcement action couldn’t be taken without landlord confirmation.
After Ahmad failed to respond to the notification, Ashford Borough Council prosecuted him with the charge of failing to comply with a requirement of a notice.
In his absence, Mr Ahmad was found guilty in court.
He was fined £5,000 and was ordered to pay £650 towards the council’s legal costs as well as a victim surcharge of £170.
