Greenwich, London – A landlord in Greenwich has been fined over £5,000 for misleading her tenants about the property they were renting, as reported by Greenwich Council. Anna Yang, the landlord in question, was prosecuted by the council after providing tenants of her Charlton apartment with misleading licence agreements, falsely claiming they had no protection from immediate eviction.
Ms. Yang, who reportedly continued to reside in Southend, used documents that falsely stated she was a resident in the property she was renting out. The case against her was heard at Bexley Magistrates Court, where she pleaded guilty to the charges brought against her.
As part of the court’s ruling, Ms. Yang was fined £2,700 and ordered to pay Greenwich Council £2,855.27 in costs. Additionally, she was required to pay a victim surcharge of £270.
A spokesperson for Greenwich Council’s trading standards enforcement team emphasized the importance of identifying and prosecuting landlords who exploit tenants. They reiterated the council’s commitment to ensuring all residents have access to safe and secure housing that meets their needs.
“It’s so important that rogue landlords such as Mrs. Yang are caught and prosecuted for unlawfully profiting and misleading their tenants with false information,” the spokesperson stated. “We would urge our landlords to ensure that they are delivering good practices for all their tenants.”
This development comes in the wake of Greenwich Council’s introduction of an additional licensing scheme targeting landlords operating Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in the borough. Properties with at least three residents in separate households sharing amenities like kitchens and bathrooms fall under this scheme. Landlords failing to comply with the licensing requirements face fines of up to £30,000.
Labour Councillor Ann-Marie Cousins, cabinet member for community safety and enforcement, applauded the new licensing scheme, emphasizing the council’s commitment to improving the lives and homes of private tenants. We will continue to work hard to tackle rogue landlords who put their tenants at risk by failing to license their properties,” she affirmed.
