Watford HMO landlord fined £30k

A Watford landlord has been fined £30,000,  £5,326.54 in court costs and a £120 victim surcharge by  Watford magistrates. 

Zuo Jun He admitted to renting out a flat above a Chinese restaurant to twelve tenants, despite the  House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence only allowing a maximum of five tenants. 

Watford Council officers described the overcrowding at the rental flat - with tenants living in tiny bedrooms listed on the license as storerooms, no communal living room and one filthy small kitchen shared between all twelve tenants.

The property was also found to be breaking fire and safety regulations.

The council confirmed that  Zuo Jun He would not be granted a future HMO licence. 
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