A landlady who ran an unlicenced house with multiple tenants afflicted by a wide range of safety risks has been fined more than £18,000.

Sharon Jacobs pleaded guilty to failing to licence and manage a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in Litchfield Way, Finchley, in court yesterday (February 28).

She was ordered to pay a fine of £15,000, plus costs of £3456.52 and a victim surcharge of £170.

The council received a number of complaints from different tenants living in the house and obtained a warrant to enter the building and investigate.

Police and environmental health officers from Re, who manage housing for the council, attended to discover five people living in the property plus the resident landlady.

Several serious safety concerns were identified including a mini oven and freezer on the main fire escape routes and a partially-collapsed kitchen ceiling.

There was also a lack of adequate smoke alarms and incomplete fire doors to prevent the spread of smoke and flames.

Chair of the housing committee Cllr Tom Davey said: “Where landlords are putting tenants’ lives at risk we will leave nothing to chance and take strong action against those responsible.

“This landlady has knowingly avoided licencing her property and carrying out necessary works, and I’m pleased to see our enforcement action has sent a strong message.

“This kind of behaviour is not acceptable.

“Enforcement officers are visiting properties across Barnet every day and HMO landlords found not to be licensed will have action taken against them.”

Ms Jacobs has another, fully licenced property in the neighbouring borough of Camden.

Under the council’s licensing scheme for HMOs, higher-risk properties meeting set criteria must be licenced, properly managed and meet minimum standards.