HMO landlords in Salford fined more than £500,000

Landlords of Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in Salford have been fined more than £500,000.

A licensing scheme was launched by Salford City Council in July 2021 to crackdown on unsafe and poorly-maintained shared homes with three or four tenants.

A total of 26 landlords have since received 39 fines totalling £577,650.

Councillor Tracy Kelly, Lead Member for Housing and Anti-Poverty, said: “It is an absolute priority that all residents in Salford live in safe and well-maintained homes. So we have taken action against landlords who are not meeting these conditions.

“We introduced the licensing scheme to improve conditions for tenants and improve management standards. So far it has been a success.”

Cllr Kelly continued: “Landlords who do not comply with conditions will receive a visit from our enforcement officers and where necessary we will hand out fines.

“But the hard work does not stop here – we will continue to target landlords who fail to meet their obligations.”

Since 2021, Salford City Council has issued 1,262 HMO licences, to ensure properties meet essential safety and welfare standards with a further 123 licences currently being processed.

A total of 1,385 properties have been inspected – with each HMO being inspected before before a licence is issued and landlords required to address hazards and bring their properties up to minimum standards.

The scheme was designed to protect tenants and ensure their homes were safe – and allows residents to raise concerns about the condition of a HMO.

These concerns can be safety, cleanliness, or other issues, and are encouraged to be reported.

Cllr Kelly continued: “I would like to thank all those residents who have reported concerns so we can maintain high standards in our city and not put landlord profit before tenant welfare.

“It is also important to note that the council is here to support landlords and agent in meeting their responsibilities.

“Our officers work very closely with them, and it is only those who do not comply that we have to take action against.”

For more information about HMOs contact the Salford City Council Housing Team at housing@salford.gov.uk or 0161 793 2500 – or find information here.