Second offence by rogue landlord who didn’t buy a license

Mark Gibson, a landlord in Basingstoke, has been fined £2,710 after being found guilty for the second time of failing to meet licensing and safety regulations for his house in multiple occupation (HMO).

He was prosecuted by Basingstoke and Deane Council for four offences committed in November last year, having previously been convicted of similar violations in September. His offences included:

• Operating without an HMO licence.
• Inadequate fire safety, with obstructed escape routes, insufficient smoke detectors, and no self-closing fire doors.
• Failure to maintain gas and electricity, leaving tenants unable to control their heating.
• Poor upkeep of communal areas, with electrical appliances improperly metered.

Gibson was fined £1,320, ordered to pay a £528 victim surcharge, and £862.38 in prosecution costs. The property owner has since taken back control, and it is no longer an HMO1.

The council emphasized its commitment to ensuring safe housing and warned that repeat offenders will continue to face legal action.