A £12,000 Fine for Turning a Bungalow into a 15-Room Nightmare: What Every Landlord Needs to Know

Imagine turning a 3-bedroom bungalow into a 15-room unlicensed HMO. Sounds outrageous, right? Well, that’s exactly what Mona Jetwani did—and it’s cost her dearly.

Here’s the shocking story:

Mona Jetwani, along with her brother, took a once comfortable bungalow and crammed it with tenants into shoddy, unsafe spaces. They turned the property into a cramped, unsafe living nightmare with tenants sleeping on camp beds in windowless rooms, all while charging vulnerable tenants between £85 and £125 per week.

When Runnymede Council tried to inspect, Jetwani and her brother became aggressive and defensive, even threatening complaints against the officials. But what they found was worse than anyone could imagine.

What Went Wrong?

The property was unsafe and unsanitary. Here’s a breakdown of the issues found:

• Illegal room sizes: Some rooms were as small as 3.4 square meters—nowhere near legal standards for habitation.
• Poor construction: The rooms, many of which were in the loft, were poorly partitioned with large gaps, no natural light, and damp and mould.
• Unsafe living conditions: Only two bathrooms, one tiny kitchen, and a lack of smoke alarms put the tenants' safety at serious risk.
• Inhumane spaces: One loft room had a mattress you could only crawl onto—unfit for human habitation.

The Consequences

Jetwani was found guilty of 10 charges, including failure to comply with gas safety, fire regulations, and size requirements for rooms. On top of the £12,000 fine, she was ordered to pay a £2,000 victim surcharge.

The judge was clear: “The partitioning was put up in a hurry to maximize profit from these tiny, unsafe spaces. She didn’t even call them rooms—she referred to them as ‘spaces,’ showing her priority was making money.”

What Landlords Can Learn

This is a stark reminder that cutting corners and failing to comply with housing regulations can have devastating consequences. Not only could it cost you a significant fine, but it can also put your tenants' safety and well-being at risk.

• Ensure legal room sizes: Always verify that your property meets the required legal standards for room size and safety.
• Maintain safety: Never skip important safety checks like gas safety certificates and smoke alarms.
• Be proactive: Avoid the temptation to maximize profits by cramming in tenants in unsafe conditions. It could lead to far worse consequences than you think.

A Final Word

The property market is there to be managed responsibly. The more you know about the rules and regulations, the better your investment will perform. Don’t fall into the trap of trying to maximize profits at the expense of safety and legal compliance.

If you’re looking for expert advice on managing properties legally and effectively, get in touch with us today. We’ll help you avoid the mistakes that could cost you big time.

Take the next step to be a responsible landlord and ensure your properties are up to standard.