A landlord and a managing agent have been fined a total of nearly £30,000 after renting out buildings housing more than one family without a licence.

Gravesham council’s private sector housing team has been targeting unlicensed Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the borough.

This is following a successful amnesty last year which saw them support landlords and owners in becoming registered.

The team is responsible for driving up the quality of private rented homes across Gravesham.

The landlord of an unlicensed HMO in Granville Road, Gravesend, has been fined £10,000, and the managing agent of a property in Parrock Street has been fined £17,500.

The fines will go towards further work in the area, including landlord training and support as well as funding further enforcement action.

Cllr Karina O’Malley, the council’s cabinet member for housing services, said the cases served as a warning to others to get their houses in order.

She said: “We have an excellent relationship with the majority of private landlords in Gravesend who work hard to ensure their tenants live in safe, suitable accommodation.

“The licensing system for HMOs ensures properties are meeting all the necessary safety requirements around gas and electrical installations and fire safety precautions.

“It means those living in them can be as sure as possible their homes are safe.

“Last year we worked hard to reach landlords across the borough to make sure they had the appropriate licences in place, and to work with those who needed our help in getting them.

“Now, for the good of local residents, we are pursuing those who don’t have licences.

“These two cases are just the start – we are actively investigating others and will follow-up on intelligence received.”

She added that it isn’t too late for those responsible for HMOs to have them registered, saying: “I would strongly encourage them to contact the team, either directly or via the HMO information page on our website.

“We would much rather every HMO in the borough be certified as safe rather than have to pursue landlords and agents with enforcement action.”