A Bognor Regis landlord has been found guilty of operating an unlicensed HMO.
Following an inspection of the property, Arun council officers found the three storey mid-terrace property in the town was being rented to at least five individual tenants. The property did not hold the required licence under the government’s mandatory scheme.
Sebastian Orszak, the landlord of the property, submitted a guilty plea and was ordered by Crawley Magistrates’ Court to pay £562, which included a fine of £223, victim surcharge of £89 and costs to the council of £250.
A council spokesperson says: “The significance of this offence is not to 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. The HMO team are proactive in their enforcement so our message to landlords is clear – licence 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 will not be allowed to hold an HMO licence. Operating an unlicensed HMO also puts landlords at risk of their tenants applying to a specialist tribunal for a rent repayment order, which could force the landlord to repay them up to 12 months of rent.”
As well as the mandatory licensing scheme that is in place nationally, Arun council has implemented an additional HMO licensing scheme which came into effect in February 2025.
This article is taken from Landlord Today