A tenant has been awarded nearly £8,000 in a rent repayment order after taking her landlord to tribunal over an unlicensed HMO in Muswell Hill.
The First tier Tribunal ordered the landlord to repay £7,884.84 in rent, alongside £341 in application and hearing fees, after finding that the Leaside Avenue property required an HMO licence but did not have one.
The case followed an investigation by Haringey Council's enforcement team after concerns were raised about mould, fire safety and a collapsed ceiling at the property.
The former tenant, who lived there between May 2023 and May 2024, made the application after discovering that an HMO licence was not in place. The flat was occupied by three people from separate households.
Concerns raised about the condition of the property included extensive mould in communal areas, blocked kitchen facilities, exposed pipework and a lack of fire doors and smoke alarms.
The Tribunal found that the property met the legal definition of an HMO and required a licence throughout the tenancy. It concluded that the landlord had committed an offence by managing an unlicensed HMO.
It also noted that the landlord had previously been subject to a separate rent repayment order involving another property.
Cllr Tammy Hymas, cabinet member for housing and co deputy leader at Haringey Council, said: "This case sends a clear message to landlords: if you're breaking the law, we're coming after you.
"No tenant should have to live in an unlicensed property with mould, serious disrepair and inadequate fire safety measures. Yet too many landlords continue to put profit before people, leaving renters to live in unacceptable conditions.
"This landlord thought they could collect rent while ignoring their legal responsibilities. Thanks to the determination of the tenant and the work of our enforcement team, they have now been ordered to pay that money back."
Haringey Council said it is increasing inspections and enforcement activity against landlords who fail to meet required standards.
The council is also launching a Private Renters' Forum, with the first meeting scheduled for 2nd September at George Meehan House in Wood Green.
