More infoProperty companies have been slapped with huge fines after unlicensed houses of multiple occupancy (HMO) where massive amounts of waste had been left outside. Southend City Council has prosecuted two companies after "serious" safety breaches were found. On July 16 this year, Westpoint Property Limited (the freeholder) and Griffin Residential Limited (now trading as Emoov) each pleaded guilty to nine offences, including failure to license an HMO and breaches of HMO management regulations. Westpoint Property Limited was ordered to pay a total of £14,282, while Griffin Residential Limited was fined £7,394. These prosecutions send a clear message: we will take tough action against landlords and property companies who break the law and put residents at risk.