H&F Council’s Private Sector Housing team has helped prosecute two rogue landlords renting out a property without a licence in West Kensington.
Francesco Grasso and Top Holdings Ltd lost their appeal at the Crown Court in May after being found guilty on three charges in September 2022.
The charges were being in control of or managing an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), failing to display information relating to a manager’s contact details and failing to take all such measures as are reasonably required to protect the occupiers from injury.
All landlords need a HMO licence if renting out a property with three or more tenants, who share a kitchen, a bathroom or a toilet.
In this property, there were six tenants, but no HMO licence. The tenants shared a very small kitchen, and the landlords had not installed adequate fire safety measures.
“Resident safety is our top priority. We are unwavering in our commitment to protect residents renting a home in H&F in the private sector. We believe that everyone deserves a secure and comfortable place to call home. Despite the lengthy court proceedings, justice was eventually served on the rogue landlords. We want H&F to be the best place to live, work and socialise,” said Cllr Frances Umeh, H&F Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness.
H&F officers were first contacted in 2019 by one of the tenants. Following lengthy delays caused by a lack of co-operation from the defendants and the Covid pandemic, a trial was finally held in September 2022 in the City of London Magistrates Court, and all three defendants were found guilty.
This included owner Margaret Cabo, the wife of Grasso, who was ultimately found guilty of being in control of or managing an unlicensed HMO but successfully appealed against the other two charges because the court found that she was not involved in the day to day running of the HMO. She was eventually fined £7,000 and £14,500 in costs.
Grasso was fined £35,000 and £25,000 in costs. Top Holdings Ltd, of which he was the director, was also fined £35,000 and £25,000 in costs.
Visit our private housing webpage to find out more including how to get in touch with the team if you need support.
