Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.
Bristol landlord ordered to repay £24,592 for unlicensed HMO failings
A Bristol landlord has been ordered to repay £24,592 to four former tenants after a tribunal found he operated an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) and failed to address multiple property issues. The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) made the Rent Repayment Order against Nadeem Ahmed following an application by former tenants of a property on Brislington Hill, Bristol.
The tribunal found that the property was operating without the required HMO licence. Bristol City Council confirmed that a licence application was not submitted until April 2025. The tribunal described the case as being "at the higher end of the spectrum", citing "serious failings with fire safety and the condition of the Property".
Evidence presented included mould in the kitchen and three bedrooms, water ingress into the kitchen, and two separate rat infestations during the tenants’ occupation. While an exterminator was sent to address the vermin, no repairs were made to prevent the rats from returning. The tribunal also found that Ahmed had been slow to address an electrical malfunction and had failed to resolve mould and water ingress issues, which persisted throughout the tenancy.
No evidence was provided that gas safety, electrical safety, or energy performance certificates had been supplied to the tenants. The tribunal also heard that deposits had not been properly returned. Judge Simon Allison found Ahmed had been involved in managing the property but that his conduct had "fallen short of a reasonable standard".
The tribunal awarded the tenants 80% of the rent paid during the relevant period, amounting to £24,592, together with £341 in tribunal fees. The case highlights ongoing enforcement of HMO licensing requirements as landlords adjust to evolving regulatory standards across England.
Source: PropertyWire