A Stoke-on-Trent landlord has been hit with an £11,800 fine for operating a house of multiple occupation (HMO) without a licence.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council launched an investigation into Lee Challinor in 2022 after receiving a complaint from the tenant who was living in the property on Liverpool Road in Stoke.

Following numerous visits, council officers found that the property was in a poor condition. The bathrooms failed to meet minimum standards and there was evidence of a fly infestation in the property, together with a build-up of waste and sludge in the backyard.

The council determined Mr Challinor had been operating a licencable HMO without a licence and breached a number of management regulations.

After pleading guilty to the charges, Mr Challinor received an £11,800 fine for both offences.

During the court hearing at Newcastle Magistrates Court on Thursday 16 November, Mr Challinor was also ordered to pay £2,000 costs and a £195 victim surcharge.

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