I have defended hundreds of (HMO) landlords caught up in prosecutions involving Local Authorities over the last decade. If you are being prosecuted for a breach of the Housing Act 2004 in the magistrates or Crown Court by a Local Authority or Council then please do contact me for advice direct from a barrister. Please also contact me if you are facing an interview with the Council or have received a section 16 or section 235 notice. The earlier you contact me and arrange a conference the easier it will be. I have been writing, thinking about and litigating issues concerning Houses in Multiple Occupation for many years now. There is little I have not seen when it comes to HMOs and little that surprises me in this area.

I have also defended and advised landlords who face Civil Penalty Notices and Rent Repayment Orders or indeed Banning Orders. I have been doing this sort of work for many years and have undertaken many cases, advising landlords on all manner of Housing Act breaches including section 234, section 72, section 95 and improvement notice breaches. I have real practical experience in this area and am often used on a word of mouth basis. I give frank advice but it is advice that can be trusted. I am often referred these cases by other barristers as these areas are so niche.

I am used to dealing with Local Authorities and fighting these cases to trial if there is a case. I know that Local Authorities can take a very heavy-handed approach to breaches of Housing Act law when prosecuting in the criminal courts or when facing Civil Penalty Notices and I can assist you in vindicating your rights or at the very least ensuring that you receive the lowest possible sentence.

The ramifications of prosecutions are immense. I have represented landlords being prosecuted for breaching the law relating to Houses in Multiple Occupancy. These landlords and their agents face:

1. Criminal convictions
2. Being unable to register a house as an HMO as they are deemed not fit and proper to let out properties
3. Possible orders for payment of rent back to tenants
4. Extremely large unlimited fines and costs orders
5. Rent Repayment Orders
6. The draconian process of a hearing under Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
7. Being on a Rogue Landlords’ Register
8. Facing disciplinary proceedings from their professional regulator
9. An article in the press

As a barrister my services are highly cost effective and I am the only person that you will deal with. I understand the law relating to what properties are and are not Housing in Multiple Occupancy and the law relating to when it is appropriate to prosecute.  You do not need to go to a solicitor for these types of cases but can, in the appropriate case, come to a barrister.

Often landlords will also be prosecuted for breaches of the law relating to gas checks and other important regulatory breaches. Come to me direct to discover if you have a defence.

I defend in London and the South East but will, if necessary, travel further afield. I always like an initial face to face meeting to go through the papers (which can be voluminous). I have represented businessmen and landlords accused of breaching Housing Act legislation especially through letting out rooms without registering the property as a House in Multiple Occupancy.

I always try to work with fixed fees. My rates are extremely competitive as I work alone as a barrister without the large overheads other lawyers incur.,