A 33-year-old woman has been hit with a record bill over charges relating to four HMO properties.

Leila Amjadi, who runs – or ran – property business Vertu Capital, was found guilty of failing to obtain HMO licences and also of breaches under HMO regulations. She was found guilty of 35 offences relating to the properties she owned in Selly Oak and Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Amjadi was ordered to pay an £85,000 fine plus costs of £22,975 and a victim surcharge of £170. She was also required to pay financial compensation totalling £22,000 to 11 tenants. Vertu Capital was also found guilty of 21 offences and was fined £52,000 plus a victim surcharge of £170.

In total, including fines, costs and compensation to her tenants, the court ordered her to pay £182,314.90.

Birmingham Magistrates Court heard that local council officers from Birmingham City Council found 31 breaches of HMO regulations. These included missing fire blankets, inadequate or missing fire doors, and smoke detectors hanging loose from ceilings.

According to Birmingham City Council, Amjadi has over ten years’ experience in the lettings business and was sell aware of the responsibility to obtain HMO licences, having previously made applications.