Big mould fine shows councils getting serious about property quality
Olaseni George has paid a heavy price for ignoring both council and court efforts to make him upgrade his rented property in Peterborough.
A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay £4,000 after renting a damp and mouldy home to a family, a sign that councils are getting tougher on those who operate sub-standard homes ahead of Awaab’s Law being implemented within the PRS.
Olaseni George was convicted for failing to comply with an improvement notice during a hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court (main image).
The court heard that in January, the city council’s housing standards team received a complaint about ongoing disrepair at his property in Eldern, Peterborough.
An inspection of the home – where two adults and two children were living – was found with damp and mould in the bedrooms, while the first-floor bathroom had no hot water.
The team served an improvement notice for the disrepair and detailed the necessary remedial action. However, at a recent inspection, it found that work had not been done and no communication was received from George.
Convicted
The landlord did not attend the court hearing but was convicted in his absence and fined £2,500, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,000 and the council’s costs of £500.
Councillor Alison Jones, cabinet member for housing and communities, says she’s confident that the prosecution will serve as a warning to the small minority of landlords who put their tenants at risk and flout the law.
“Whenever we are made aware of landlords breaching the law we will look to take enforcement action under the range of powers available to us,” adds Jones. “We would also point out to landlords who are unsure of their responsibilities to please contact our housing team who are always happy to advise.”
Images: Streetview/Peterborough Council.
