A property guardian company has been found guilty of multiple offences after it crammed upto 30 tenants into a Grade Two listed building in disrepair and had not been licensed as a House in Multiple Occupation.
Camelot Guardian Management Company Ltd, also known as Camelot Europe, was originally found guilty of 15 offences, at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court in March 2019.
The firm then went into administration and is now trading under a new name, Watchtower Security Solutions, trading as Watchtower Property Management, with the same company director.
The offences included the failure to licence a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), and 14 breaches of HMO management regulations in relation to the Old Rectory in Lexden, Colchester. The property was a former care home.
The breaches related to fire and electrical safety and dangerous living conditions within the property including a faulty fire alarm system, blocked fire escapes and sealed doors. The residents shared one kitchen, several bathrooms with no hot water and a blocked toilet.
Sentencing the company early in January this year, District Judge Barron had no alternative (due to the company being in administration) but to issue a nominal fine of £100 for each of the 15 offences and ordered the company to pay the council’s full costs of just under £10,000.
Unsafe conditions
The tenants contacted Colchester council’s Private Sector Housing Team, in January 2018, after their attempts to contact Camelot Europe about resolving the issues were ignored. They were subsequently evicted by Camelot.
Councillor Adam Fox, the council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “Property guardian companies have a duty to licence HMOs and follow the regulations to protect residents. Camelot Europe’s failure to do so in relation to the Old Rectory in Lexden left 30 tenants living in unsafe living conditions, which put them at risk in their homes.
“It is unfortunate that the company went into administration during the legal process leaving minimal assets, such that the Judge had no option but to issue nominal fines for what were serious offences.
“Colchester Borough Council is committed to improving standards of private sector housing accommodation across the borough. When accommodation is not being responsibly managed and regulations are breached, we will work with those involved to resolve the issues – but, if this proves to be unsuccessful, we will take legal action to remedy the situation and ensure tenants can enjoy a safe and healthy home which meets regulations.”
By Patrick Mooney, Editor