Rogue landlords from Uxbridge have been ordered to pay £7,177 after renting an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and failing to keep it safe for tenants, following a prosecution by Hillingdon Council.
Naveen Seth had previously admitted charges of operating an unlicensed HMO, failing to comply with an improvement notice and breaching the housing regulations. He appeared for sentencing at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 9 December.
Savita Seth had also admitted a single charge of operating an unlicensed HMO and appeared at the same hearing alongside Naveen.
The now estranged couple are the legal owners and managers of a three-storey property in Old School Road, where five unrelated individuals lived.
The court heard that on 7 November 2024, a complaint was made to the council by a tenant at the property regarding water penetration, damp and electrical issues. A subsequent, unannounced inspection by council officers on 19 November revealed the property was operating as an HMO without a licence and uncovered multiple breaches of management regulations.
These included missing mains-wired smoke detectors, inadequate fire doors, obstructed escape routes, unserviced fire extinguishers, along with dirty conditions and general disrepair.
The council served an improvement notice requiring all issues to be resolved by 3 March 2025 however at a subsequent inspection on 10 April 2025 officers found it had not been complied with, the court was told.
A month later, the fire brigade was called to the property due to a smoking hob and noted the lack of fire doors – one of the items the improvement notice had required to be addressed.
The court was told that each defendant had a previous conviction for fraud which was taken into consideration during sentencing.
Cllr Steve Tuckwell, Hillingdon Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing and Growth, said: “We recently announced stronger powers to monitor and control the impact of HMOs, to protect residents and tenants, safeguard neighbourhoods, and support responsible landlords who follow the rules.
“This prosecution shows how seriously the council takes these matters. Poorly managed HMOs can have a significant impact not only on tenants, but also on neighbouring residents and the wider community, particularly where properties are not properly managed.
“I would like to thank the housing enforcement team for their work in bringing this case forward. I hope it serves as a clear reminder that the council will take action where regulations are not being met, and that protecting residents and communities remains our priority.”
Naveen Seth, 57, was fined £657, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £263 and the council’s prosecution costs of £5,268.
Savita Seth, 56, was fined £253, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £101 and prosecution costs of £585.
The council is currently consulting with residents, landlords and letting agents on proposals to introduce a boroughwide HMO additional licensing scheme.
To find out more about the council’s Article 4 Directions for how planning rules affect HMOs, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/article-4-directions.
For information and advice for tenants in private housing, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/private-housing.
