Letting agents and landlords in Barnet are being warned to check their HMO licensing obligations as the council steps up enforcement across the north London borough.
Barnet Council has launched targeted evening inspections to identify landlords operating properties without the required licence. Officers visited 76 properties during the first evening of enforcement activity last week.
Legal Investigations and Fines
The council has now opened legal investigations into 22 properties over suspected licensing breaches. HMOs that fall within Barnet's licensing requirements must have the appropriate licence.
The council maintains a public register of licensed HMOs in the borough. Landlords must also ensure their properties meet the relevant management and safety requirements. Failure to obtain a licence where required can lead to substantial financial penalties.
Barnet Council said it has already issued £187,000 in fines this year for offences connected with HMO licensing and management. Individual offences can result in financial penalties of up to £40,000.
Continued Enforcement Operations
The enforcement drive puts greater emphasis on letting and managing agents checking the licensing status of properties under their management.
The evening inspections are not a one-off exercise. Barnet Council plans to continue targeted operations across the borough over the next 12 months as it searches for potentially unlicensed or poorly managed HMOs.
The council is urging HMO landlords to check whether their properties require a licence and ensure they meet their legal obligations. For agents managing HMO portfolios in Barnet, the increased enforcement makes checking licensing status particularly important when taking on properties. Agents will also need to keep compliance under review throughout the management period.
