Unsafe Gateshead HMO landlord ordered to pay more than £42,000
Gateshead landlord, Jetsun Ltd, has been fined more than £42,000 in penalties after running an unsafe and unlicensed House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO).
We have issued two financial penalties against the landlord following an investigation into a property in the Windmill Hills area of Gateshead.
The penalties, totalling £42,300 were issued for:
- running an unlicensed HMO
- failing to properly manage the property and keep tenants safe
Our investigation found a number of serious fire safety and management problems at the three-storey property, which was occupied by seven people from six households.
Among the problems identified were:
- a faulty and inadequate fire alarm system
- no emergency lighting
- no fire blanket in the kitchen
- defective fire doors
- obstructions in escape routes
- bedroom and exit doors that required keys to open from the inside
- a lack of proper safety checks, inspections and records
- a failure to respond to requests for information and documents to support the investigation
Council officers also found evidence that the property had been operating as an HMO for a significant period without the legally required licence in place.
HMOs are properties rented by several people from different households who share facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms. Landlords who operate HMOs must follow strict legal requirements to make sure tenants are safe, particularly in relation to fire safety and property management.
Following the issuing of the penalties, the Jetsun Ltd paid within 28 days and received a 15% discount under the Council's enforcement policy.
The funds will be reinvested into further enforcement work in the private rented sector to help improve housing standards across Gateshead.
Samantha Allcott, Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities at Gateshead Council, said:
"Landlords have a legal duty to make sure the homes they rent out are safe and properly managed.
"In this case, the conditions found at the property were unacceptable and could have put tenants at serious risk, especially in the event of a fire.
"We work closely with landlords across Gateshead to help raise and maintain standards. Tenant safety will always come first, and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where standards fall below what is required by law."
We introduced additional HMO licensing in parts of Gateshead in June 2025 as part of ongoing work to improve housing standards and protect tenants living in privately rented accommodation.
If you are a private landlord in Gateshead and want to check if you require a licence, contact the Private Sector Housing team on 0191 433 2350, or email [email protected].
Gateshead landlord, Jetsun Ltd, has been fined more than £42,000 in penalties after running an unsafe and unlicensed House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO).
We have issued two financial penalties against the landlord following an investigation into a property in the Windmill Hills area of Gateshead.
The penalties, totalling £42,300 were issued for:
- running an unlicensed HMO
- failing to properly manage the property and keep tenants safe
Our investigation found a number of serious fire safety and management problems at the three-storey property, which was occupied by seven people from six households.
Among the problems identified were:
- a faulty and inadequate fire alarm system
- no emergency lighting
- no fire blanket in the kitchen
- defective fire doors
- obstructions in escape routes
- bedroom and exit doors that required keys to open from the inside
- a lack of proper safety checks, inspections and records
- a failure to respond to requests for information and documents to support the investigation
Council officers also found evidence that the property had been operating as an HMO for a significant period without the legally required licence in place.
HMOs are properties rented by several people from different households who share facilities such as kitchens or bathrooms. Landlords who operate HMOs must follow strict legal requirements to make sure tenants are safe, particularly in relation to fire safety and property management.
Following the issuing of the penalties, the Jetsun Ltd paid within 28 days and received a 15% discount under the Council's enforcement policy.
The funds will be reinvested into further enforcement work in the private rented sector to help improve housing standards across Gateshead.
Samantha Allcott, Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities at Gateshead Council, said:
"Landlords have a legal duty to make sure the homes they rent out are safe and properly managed.
"In this case, the conditions found at the property were unacceptable and could have put tenants at serious risk, especially in the event of a fire.
"We work closely with landlords across Gateshead to help raise and maintain standards. Tenant safety will always come first, and we will not hesitate to take enforcement action where standards fall below what is required by law."
We introduced additional HMO licensing in parts of Gateshead in June 2025 as part of ongoing work to improve housing standards and protect tenants living in privately rented accommodation.
If you are a private landlord in Gateshead and want to check if you require a licence, contact the Private Sector Housing team on 0191 433 2350, or email [email protected].
