A landlord has been fined £5,000 for allowing six tenants to occupy an unlicensed property in Potters Bar.

Hertsmere Borough Council’s Housing Enforcement team issued the fine after investigations found that the property was occupied by six people for more than 10 years without the necessary license.

The property was also found to have a variety of defects, particularly relating to fire safety, including no fire doors or emergency lighting and poor smoke detection, while an escape route was not fire protected.

Cllr Alan Matthews, the council’s portfolio holder for housing, commented: “People’s safety is our highest priority, and the fine issued in this case shows that we will take appropriate action to deal with landlords who fail to take their responsibilities seriously.

“In this case, the lives of the tenants were put at risk because of a number of unacceptable defects at the property.

“Our message to all landlords is that everyone has the right to live in safe, secure accommodation which adheres to certain standards by law, and we are committed to always enforcing those living standards.”