Council take over management of HMO

Camden Council has taken over the running of a large HMO after the landlord, Stephen Paul Gethin, was found guilty of managing an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation and convicted of 14 other housing offences at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court in April. 

The large HMO, Happy Vale Hotel in Mornington Crescent, was described as ‘dangerous and cockroach-infested’ conditions.

The council has placed an interim management order on the old hotel where 17 people are living, and a program of emergency repairs will be carried out to make the place safe for the tenants. 

The property was blighted by raw sewage, cockroach and mouse infestation, fire doors wedged open, failed emergency lighting, not working properly and extensive disrepair.

The landlord has been made to pay more than £20,000 and the council are currently considering how the long term management of the rental property will be resolved.