A landlord has become the first to be fined under new licensing rules governing shared houses.

Andreas Ioannou, of Manor Property Group, in Green Lanes, Harringay, was fined £3,000 for failing to apply for a house in multiple occupation licence for a house in Seymour Road.

Despite being approved by the London Landlord Scheme, which is backed by Haringey Borough Council, he was fined at Tottenham Magistrates Court last month.

Alibra Ltd, also owned by Ioannou family members, was fined £1,000 for the same offence and the council have been awarded costs of £1,725.

The licensing scheme regulates shared houses in the Harringay Ladder area. The authority said the Ioannou family was warned more than a year ago that most private rented shared houses would require a licence.

Despite many warnings, Mr Ioannou - an accredited landlord who lets many properties - did not apply for the required licence until summoned to court.

The council’s cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Nilgun Canver said: “Unlicensed HMOs have brought many problems to tenants and the community in certain parts of the borough.”

“It's very disappointing when landlords with many properties, who should know better, fail to take the required action.

This case must reinforce our message to HMO landlords that if they don't get the required licenses they will be subjected to a programme of targeted enforcement action.”

Mr Ioannou has submitted licence applications for nine properties and has provided a list of other properties for which applications are to be submitted shortly.