Bradford landlord Hasan Kazi, 76, has been found guilty of a series of new offences related to poor conditions at three of his HMOs.

Kazi has a history of breaching housing regulations, and in court, Deputy District Judge Imran Hussain (pictured), warned he now faces a “significant financial penalty”.

The case relates to properties in Easby Road and Ashgrove, although Kazi owns 18 properties in Bradford,  which house around 100 tenants.

The court was told the properties concerned suffered from rodent and cockroach infestations, leaking roofs, broken fire doors and blocked drains that allegedly caused human waste and used toilet paper to emerge from external pipework and collect in guttering.

Inspectors also reported finding rotten food inside a broken fridge, while one tenant had been told to place a rug over a damp patch caused by a ceiling leak.

In addition, adhesive tape had been used during attempted roof repairs, but the roof continued leaking, including during a council inspection.

Bad character

The prosecution, which was brought by Bradford Council, was allowed to introduce evidence of Kazi’s previous conduct after a successful “bad character” application.

Tribunal and court records reveal the landlord had previously been fined £43,000 after tenants were found living in rodent-infested flats with serious disrepair issues.

They also show a number of other enforcement cases, dating back to at least 2017, involving fire safety failings, waste accumulation and poor living conditions linked to his Bradford HMOs.

In my judgement the evidence against you is overwhelming.”

In his summary, Deputy District Judge Imran Hussain (pictured) told Kazi: “In my judgement the evidence against you is overwhelming.”

“I thought your evidence was vague, inconsistent at times, and at times fanciful.”

Kazi will return to court at a later date, when the size of the financial penalty will be determined.