Landlord Ashraf Talukder has been fined £5,000 after an investigation by Tandridge District Council found “serious hazards” at his rental property.

At the time, the flat, which is above a commercial premises at 64 High Street, Lingfield, was occupied by three people.

During an inspection, the council’s officers uncovered poor electrics, inadequate fire precautions, windows that could not be opened or opened without restriction, as well as “the absence of a fully functioning kitchen.”

The council says the landlord failed to engage with the investigation, which led to an improvement notice being served in October 2025.

Work not completed

A follow-up inspection found that although some works had been completed, several issues highlighted by the inspection remained outstanding.

Tandridge District Council issued a £3,000 financial penalty for failing to comply with the improvement notice and a further £2,000 penalty for letting the property out without a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

The EPC breach, the council said, was a separate offence uncovered during the investigation into the condition of the property.

Where serious hazards are identified, and improvement notices are ignored, we will take formal enforcement action.”

Cllr Deb Shiner (pictured), Chair of Community Services at Tandridge, said: “We work with landlords to help them understand and meet their legal responsibilities, but where serious hazards are identified, and improvement notices are ignored, we will take formal enforcement action.

“This case demonstrates our commitment to protecting residents from unsafe housing and holding landlords to account.”