Fines of £16,500 for law breaking landlords

I am pleased to be able to report that Landlords of three properties including one in Westmoreland ward who were riding roughshod over property management rules have been successfully prosecuted by Bath & North East Somerset Council this week (12 August 2013). Bath Magistrates handed out a combined total of £16,500 worth of fines and costs against the landlords. The prosecutions were as a result of Council inspections which uncovered poor property conditions for tenants, dangerous fire precautions, inadequate heating, broken window panes, and mould, amongst many other problems. Councillor Tim Ball (Lib-Dem, Twerton), Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning, said, “These cases serve as an important reminder for any landlord thinking they can creep below the radar of Bath & North East Somerset Council and disregard the safety of their tenants. Our message is crystal clear. If you fail to protect your tenants from potentially life changing risks like fire you will be hit in the pocket by prosecution through the courts. Our Housing Services Team is here to provide guidance for any landlord who is unclear on the rules. There is no excuse.” Graham Sabourn, Council Head of Housing, said, “We will use the powers it has at our disposal to prosecute landlords who have no regard for the rules which are there to support people’s health and maintain the safety of tenants.” If landlords are in any doubt about whether their property is an HMO or what measures they must take to ensure health and safety for their tenants, they should contact the Council’s Housing Team on 01225 396418 or email housing@bathnes.gov.uk Case details Manager of Royal Dragon, 91 Coronation Avenue • Fined £2,000 for failure to licence a licensable HMO and £2,000 for failure to manage the property. Costs were awarded at £500; • The Council were concerned about the living conditions of the shared house above the take away. Officers found the property in poor condition with extremely dangerous fire precautions, lack of heating and fall hazards. Avon Fire and Rescue served an Emergency Prohibition Order to prevent the property being used for sleeping; • The property was also found to be operating as an illegal HMO. While the owners undertook remedial work they failed to apply for an HMO licence. Leaseholders of Cinnamon, 68 High Street, Keynsham • Fined £2,000 for failure to licence a licensable HMO and £2,000 for failure to manage the property. Costs were awarded at £500; • The Council visited as part of a routine inspection program and found the property was operating illegally without an HMO licence; • The property was also in poor condition with no fire precautions, dangerous electrics, inadequate heating, and a falls from height hazard. Manager (leaseholder) of Oriental Express, 9 Lansdown Road, Bath • Fined £4,000 for failure to licence a licensable HMO and £3,000 for failure to manage the property. Costs were awarded at £500. • The Council visited the property following a complaint from a neighbour. It was found the property was in poor condition with dangerous electrics, poor fire precautions, inadequate fire separation between the takeaway and shared house, no heating, the bathroom was in disrepair, there were broken windows panes, damp and mould, and trip and fall hazards. It was established the property was operating illegally without a HMO licence.