Barrister and landlord fined for HMO offences

A Birmingham barrister and landlord has been ordered to pay £4,740 by city magistrates for failing to secure licences for a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Birmingham Magistrates Court was told Lewis Perry, age 39, a barrister at Southall Chambers, failed to obtain the HMO licence for a three-storey property in Hunton Road, Erdington.

He also breached management regulations at the property, including regulations designed to protect tenants from fire.

Lewis Perry

Perry, also of Hunton Road, pleaded guilty to failing to obtain an HMO licence and for breaching management regulations.  He was fined £3,500 with £1,120 full costs and victim surcharge of £120.

Southall Chambers lists Perry as practising in Employment Law, Common Law / Civil Litigation, Crime, Licensing Law and Regulatory Work with a focus on firearms and shooting, rural, countryside, agricultural and equine law. He is claimed to be a recognised firearms expert.

The Chambers also lists him as practising in landlord and tenant work.

The court was told he also claimed to be a member of the National Landlords Association (NLA) but despite this, failed to obtain an HMO licence and did not have mains powered interlinked fire alarms or heat detectors in the kitchens.  He also did not have any fire doors or emergency lighting to the escape route.

Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for housing and homes, Cllr Peter Griffiths, said: “As a barrister working with landlords and tenants, Perry should have been aware of his legal responsibilities to license and install fire precautions.  I am glad that we have been able to bring this landlord to justice through our specialist work on rogue landlords.”

The NLA has subsequently said it cannot trace Perry as being – or having been – a member of its association.