Nottingham renters protected as landlord faces £11,000 licensing penalty

Lucy Fletcher Author 2026-05-21 10:30 3 min read

A person's hand holding a set of keys with a house-shaped metal keychain.

Contents

Financial penalties for housing law breaches
Nottingham’s Additional Licensing Scheme requirements
Proactive enforcement by the Safer Housing Team
Support and reporting for local renters

A Nottingham landlord has been ordered to pay more than £11,500 after failing to properly license a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO). The legal action, led by the Nottingham City Council Safer Housing Team, concluded with a successful prosecution against Faith Gakanje-Ajala for breaches of the citywide Additional Licensing Scheme.

The case was heard at the local Magistrates’ Court, where Faith Gakanje-Ajala was found guilty in her absence. After reviewing the evidence and considering several aggravating factors presented by the local authority, the District Judge ruled that the legal requirements for licensing had been blatantly ignored. This case follows similar efforts across the UK where local authorities are strengthening enforcement powers against rogue landlords to curb illegal practices and improve living standards.

Financial penalties for housing law breaches

The court imposed a significant financial penalty to reflect the seriousness of the licensing failure. The total amount of £11,537.50 is comprised of three distinct elements designed to penalize the offender and recover the public funds used to bring the case to court. The breakdown of the court order is as follows:

Fine: £7,500
Victim Surcharge: £3,000
Council Costs: £1,037.50

The severity of the fine reflects a national trend of prosecutions for dangerous overcrowding and licensing failures, signaling that local authorities are increasingly unwilling to tolerate landlords who operate outside the law. These funds are often utilized to support further enforcement activities and maintain the integrity of the private rental sector.

Nottingham renters protected as landlord faces £11,000 licensing penalty

Nottingham’s Additional Licensing Scheme requirements

In Nottingham, the Additional Licensing Scheme is a critical regulatory tool used to manage the quality of private rented housing. An HMO generally refers to a property rented out by at least three people who are not from one ‘household’ (for example, a family) but share facilities like the bathroom and kitchen. The scheme requires landlords to meet specific safety standards, including fire safety measures and adequate room sizes, before a license is granted.

Operating an HMO without a valid license is a criminal offence. The scheme was introduced to ensure that all tenants in Nottingham have access to safe, well-managed accommodation. It also provides the council with the necessary oversight to intervene when properties fall into disrepair or when management standards drop below the legal minimum. Landlords who fail to register their properties effectively bypass these safety checks, potentially putting residents at risk.

Proactive enforcement by the Safer Housing Team

The prosecution of Faith Gakanje-Ajala is part of a broader, proactive strategy by the Safer Housing Team to tackle rogue landlords across the city. The team conducts regular inspections and investigations into unlicensed properties to ensure that the city’s housing stock remains up to code. This ongoing commitment is designed to protect vulnerable renters who may be hesitant to report poor conditions themselves.

Council officials stated that the outcome of this case reinforces the importance of their daily work. By targeting those who disregard their legal obligations, the council aims to create a level playing field for the majority of landlords who do comply with the law and provide high-quality homes for Nottingham residents. The use of financial penalties serves as both a punishment for the individual and a deterrent for others who might consider operating unlicensed properties.

Support and reporting for local renters

Tenants living in private rented accommodation in Nottingham are encouraged to verify if their property requires a license and if one is currently in place. The Safer Housing Team provides a direct line of communication for renters who have concerns about their living conditions, maintenance issues, or the legal status of their tenancy.

If you are a renter in Nottingham and suspect your landlord is operating without a license or if you have concerns about the safety of your property, you can contact the Council’s Safer Housing Team directly. Reporting these issues helps the authority identify rogue operators and ensures that housing standards are upheld across all neighborhoods.

Source: Nottingham City Council