Letting agency fined over failure to comply with investigation

Luton Council has successfully prosecuted a lettings agency and its director for failing to comply with an investigation into the conditions of a rented property.

Poplar Homes Ltd and its director Sarfraz Yousaf, of New Bedford Road, Luton, both admitted offences of not providing the correct documentation. This failure hindered the council’s enforcement process, it says.

The lettings firm was fined £3,977 by Luton Magistrates’ Court, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £1,231, and costs of £508. Yousaf was fined £768, plus a victim surcharge of £307.

The council had received a complaint relating to poor condition of a property it managed in St Peters Road, Luton, (main picture).

The complaint related to the property not having any fixed heating provision or hot water, and inadequate water services. It was also reported that there were no smoke detectors, and the electric cooker was not properly connected and did not conform to current standards.

Poplar Homes was asked to provide the necessary information including ownership details and gas and electrical safety certificates, but repeatedly failed to do so.

Lettings

Following the court process, the company has been required to make the necessary improvements to the property, and the council is working hard to ensure this is carried out.

Councillor Tom Shaw, portfolio holder for housing, says: “When we hear of a complaint against a private landlord we will always investigate the situation. Part of this requires us to be satisfied that the necessary documents are held and failure to demonstrate that is a serious offence in its own right.

“The quality of the property investigated was not of a sufficiently high standard, and we have demanded that the landlords resolve this as quickly as possible.”

Read more about council against lettings agencies.