Southend-on-Sea City Council has secured two prosecutions in quick succession after its inspectors found serious hazards in two privately rented properties, with both landlords failing to act on formal repair notices.

The first case involved Habibur Rahman, of Westcliff-on-Sea. At his property on Fairfax Drive, officers found widespread damp and mould, fall risks and several fire safety failings. Rahman had ignored an earlier enforcement notice and was fined £440 with £2,200 in costs.

Guilty plea

The council then returned to court, this time to prosecute landlord Madelaine Murphy, of Leigh-on-Sea. Inspectors found damp and mould, excess cold and dangerous fire hazards at her Leigh Hall Road rental property. She pleaded guilty and received a £384 fine, plus £2,000 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.

Both prosecutions followed long-running tenant complaints and failures to carry out urgent repairs.

More than a quarter of our residents live in privately rented housing, and their safety is our top priority. These prosecutions show the Council will take tough action against landlords who break the law.”

Cllr Martin Terry, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services, told The Echo: “More than a quarter of our residents live in privately rented housing, and their safety is our top priority. These prosecutions show the Council will take tough action against landlords who break the law.”

And he added that the rulings built on last year’s landmark banning order against a rogue landlord as it continues tightening rental standards across the city.

Pictures courtesy of Southend Council.