Unlicensed HMO landlord prosecuted
A Bognor Regis landlord has been found guilty of operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
Following an inspection of the property, Arun District Council officers found the three storey mid-terrace property at 38 Linden Road was being rented to at least five individual tenants. The property did not hold the required licence under the government's mandatory scheme.
Mr Sebastian Orszak, the landlord of the property, submitted a guilty plea and in December 2024, was ordered by Crawley Magistrates' Court to pay £562, which included a fine of £223, victim surcharge of £89 and costs to the council of £250.
Councillor Sue Wallsgrove, Chair of the Environment Committee at Arun District Council, said:
The significance of this offence is not to be underestimated. HMO Licensing schemes are in place to protect the health and safety of tenants and ensure that rented accommodation is maintained to a high standard. The HMO team are proactive in their enforcement so our message to landlords is clear - licence your properties or face prosecution or a civil penalty notice.
Mr Orszak, 47, of Orchard Way, Bognor Regis, now has a criminal conviction which he will have to declare, meaning he will not be allowed to hold an HMO licence.
Operating an unlicensed HMO also puts landlords at risk of their tenants applying to a specialist tribunal for a rent repayment order, which could force the landlord to repay them up to 12 months of rent.
As well as the mandatory licensing scheme that is in place nationally, Arun District Council has implemented an additional HMO licensing scheme which came into effect on 1 February 2025. This scheme applies to River ward in Littlehampton and Hotham and Marine wards in Bognor Regis.
The scheme ensures that properties that are occupied by three or four people, sharing facilities and forming two or more households now require a licence too, as well as certain buildings converted into self-contained flats.
For more information regarding HMOs and the requirements of licensing please visit Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) | Arun District Council or contact the HMO Team via email on HMOLicensing@arun.gov.uk.
You can also check if a property is licenced in Arun by looking at the public register Arun | Environmental Health Online Services | Licence Register