Student landlord Helen Clark and her property company have been stripped of HMO licences for a multi-million pound portfolio of shared houses across Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The city council confirmed their decision to revoke her house in multiple occupation (HMO) licences on the grounds neither she or her company were considered 'fit and proper' to manage the properties.
Ms Clark is separated from former husband and property investor Jonathan Clark, who also had his licences for the same properties revoked by the council after admitting possession of Class A drugs in court.
Following his conviction in 2006, the property licences were switched to Ms Clark.
Stephen Savage, Newcastle City Council’s director of Regulatory Services and Public Protection, confirmed said: “The Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation Committee determined that Mrs Helen Clark s not a fit and proper person to be the licence holder and that Clark Residential no longer remains a fit and proper person to be the manager of the properties, consequently their licences have been revoked.”
The licences are thought to cover around 19 homes housing about 100 students across the city. The council has said they should not lose their homes over the ruling.
Ms Clark and the company have 28 days to appeal the council's decision to a residential property tribunal.
HMO rules define a 'fit and proper' person for managing a shared house as someone who has:
•Unspent convictions for offences involving fraud or other dishonesty, violence, drugs or any offence listed in Schedule 3 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003
•Unlawfully discriminated against someone on grounds of sex, colour, race, ethnic or national origins, or in connection with the carrying on of a business
•Breached any law relating to housing or of landlord and tenant law, including any civil proceedings that resulted in a judgement against them
