Private landlords are being warned to ensure they fulfil their obligations to repair and maintain properties after a landlord in Newham was heavily fined by Stratford Magistrates Court for serious breaches of the Housing Act 2004.
Following complaints from the tenant, Council officers who inspected the Shelley Avenue flat found it had several rotten window sets and door frames, water leaking from an adjoining property and uneven and damaged floor coverings.
Oficers had additional concerns about the security of the property with several doors lacking adequate locks.
The landlord was served with an Improvement Notice but the court found he’d made to no attempt to contact or work with the Council to rectify the defects to the property. The landlord claimed he was waiting for the tenant to move out before undertaking the improvements.
The landlord was fined £3750 and ordered to pay Council’s costs of a further £3750 and a £15 Victim surcharge.
Newham Councillor Andrew Baikie said the ruling “should be a warning to all landlords who show a total disregard for the upkeep of their properties. Landlords have a duty of care to provide a safe and secure residence for their tenants.”
“It’s important that all housing stock throughout the borough is kept at a decent level so they don’t become eyesores, encourage anti-social behaviour or become wasted housing opportunities”.
“The Council looks out for the rights of all residents in Newham whether they live in private or council housing. In this case the landlord made no attempt to carry out the necessary improvements to the property and was making the tenant live in substandard accommodation.”
