TWO companies and their managers were fined a total of £27,000 and ordered to pay costs totalling £25,000 for failing to licence and comply with house in multiple occupation regulations.

The Newport City Council prosecution centred on a failure to licence the Victoria Hotel, 161 Corporation Road, and another property at 44 Corporation Road, as houses in multiple occupation, as well as failing to comply with regulations.

All four defendants were sentenced by District Judge John Charles at Abergavenny magistrates court on May 13.

Mahmood Hassan, of Cefn Coed Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff, pleaded guilty to three offences of managing both properties as HMOs when they were not licensed.

He also admitted two offences of failing to maintain fire escapes at 44 Corporation Road and keeping all parts safe and in working order.

He was fined a total of £9,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £8,000.

Mohammed Zishan Ali Hassan, also of Cefn Coed Road, was fined £4,000 and made to pay £4,000 costs after he admitted managing the Victoria Hotel when it was not licensed.

Topaz Property Company Limited pleaded guilty to two offences of managing both properties as HMOs when it was not licensed and to 10 offences under the HMO management regulations.

The company was fined £11,000 and ordered to pay costs of £11,000.

Lainebridge Trading Limited pleaded guilty to one offence of managing the Victoria Hotel as an unlicensed HMO and was fined £3,000 with costs of £2,000.

Councillor Gail Giles, cabinet member for licensing and statutory functions, said the authority was pleased with the result.

She said: “The council had tried very hard to work with the defendants to get them to comply with the legislation, but in the end we had to resort to court action.

“This case should send a strong message to HMO landlords about the importance of being licensed.

Tenants should also ensure they only rent shared accommodation from landlords whose properties are licensed.”

For more information on HMO licensing in Newport, visit newport.

gov.uk/hmo or telephone 01633 656656.