An estate agency in north London has been prosecuted and ordered to pay £35,000 for falling foul of letting licensing rules.

Green House Estate Agents, of Silver Street, Edmonton, failed to license three properties in Enfield, in accordance with local authority rules that require rented properties to meet certain conditions and be registered.

Under Enfield Council’s rules, a licence must be obtained for all privately rented residential properties occupied by one or two people, or one family household.

Following an investigation, council officers found that not only did the three homes not have the correct licence, but that there was also evidence of disrepair inside the properties.

Fire safety deficiencies, damp and “a general lack of management” were all reported.

Green House Estate Agents was convicted in November last year, and did not attend the sentencing hearing earlier this month.

Cllr Susan Erbil, Enfield Council’s cabinet member for licensing, planning and regulatory services, said: “There are many law-abiding landlords in the private rented sector in the borough, and the council is here to help and advise them to ensure their properties reach the required standards and are properly licensed.

“Unfortunately, there are also landlords who break the law by not obtaining the legally required licence to let their properties.

“The council’s successful prosecution of Green House Estates should be wake up call to all unscrupulous landlords who do not comply with the law.”

The estate agency was also ordered to pay costs totalling £2,348, as well as a surcharge of £2,000 for each prosecution.