A West Sussex landlord has been prevented from letting out HMOs after he admitted operating an unlicensed property.
An inspection by Arun Council officers discovered that Sebastian Orszak’s three-storey house in Linden Road, Bognor Regis (pictured), was being rented to at least five individual tenants but didn’t have the required licence. Orszak is a polish national who operates a business in the local area.
Crawley Magistrates Court ordered Orszak to pay £562, which included a fine of £223, victim surcharge of £89 and costs to the council of £250.
Councillor Sue Wallsgrove (pictured) chair of the environment committee, says the significance of this offence should not 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,” adds Wallsgrove.
“The HMO team are proactive in their enforcement so our message to landlords is clear - license your properties or face prosecution or a civil penalty notice.”
Orszak, 47, of Orchard Way, Bognor Regis, now has a criminal conviction which he will have to declare, meaning he won’t be allowed to hold an HMO licence. His tenants might also be eligible to apply for a rent repayment order, which forces landlords to repay up to 12 months’ rent.
Arun Council launched an additional licensing scheme on 1st February which applies to River ward in Littlehampton and Hotham and Marine wards in Bognor Regis.
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