Dodgy landlords and letting agents running illegal HMOs have been issued with more than £100,000 in fines since the start of the year.

Haringey Council has issued £108,000 in total fines to those failing to license their houses in multiple occupation (HMO) since January.

Legally, any property rented to at least three tenants forming more than one household who share toilet, bathroom or kitchen facilities needs a licence.

Since 2019, Haringey has had an additional HMO licensing scheme covering the whole borough, holding landlords accountable and ensuring shared housing is safe and good quality.

Renting out properties without a licence is strictly forbidden in Haringey.

Those deliberately avoiding licensing are faced with a Civil Penalty Notice (CPN), carrying a maximum fine of £30,000.

Tenants living in unlicensed houses may get up to 12 months’ rent repaid through Rent Repayment Orders.

Eubert Malcolm, Haringey Council’s assistant director for stronger and safer communities, said: "Our priority is and always will be to protect our tenants welfare and ensure they live in safe, well-maintained homes.

"These fines send a clear message that we will not tolerate negligence from landlords and letting agents.

"We are committed to upholding high standards for all rental properties in Haringey."

The council says it is dedicated to identifying and dealing with non-compliant properties across Haringey.

Tenants are urged to report any concerns about their where they are living.

Suspected unlicensed privately rented properties can be reported through Haringey Council's website at https://new.haringey.gov.uk