Arun District Council has fined landlord Ms Vilma Edmonds and her property agency, Meynell Limited, £16,267 after they ignored an official warning to make urgent safety improvements to a rental flat in Bayford Road, Littlehampton.

When the council first inspected the flat, its officers identified a number of serious safety issues, including damp, mould growth, and excess cold, as well as a number of windows and external doors that were in a state of disrepair.

Improvement notice

An Improvement Notice was then served under the Housing Act 2004, which required remedial works to be carried out on the property to ensure it was brought up to acceptable living standards.

However, Meynell Limited and Ms Vilma Edmonds, the company’s sole director and landlord responsible for the property, failed to comply with the notice and, as a result, the council pursued legal action to protect the tenants’ rights.

Crawley Magistrates Court found both guilty in their absence, and they were ordered to pay a combined total of £16,267, which included fines, victim surcharges, and the council’s costs.

Arun District Council will not hesitate to take action where landlords neglect their legal responsibilities.”

Councillor Amanda Worne, Chair of the Environment Committee at Arun District Council, said: “This outcome sends a clear message: Arun District Council will not hesitate to take action where landlords neglect their legal responsibilities.

“The health and safety of tenants is a priority, and the council remains committed to ensuring that all rented accommodation in the district is safe, secure, and maintained to a high standard.”

Meynell Properties Ltd describes itself as a property Investment and development company and is based in Littlehampton, West Sussex. According to Companies House, it is late in filing its accounts and, last year, a receiver was appointed to it.