An HMO landlord has been found guilty of a string of offences relating to three properties with rodent and cockroach infestations, where human faeces were found in one of the gutters.

Hasan Kazi, 76, denied charges at Bradford Magistrates Court relating to issues at 2 Easby Road, 12 Easby Road and 48 Ashgrove after being handed a £43,000 fine last year for filthy conditions at two other properties in Bradford. He had also been fined by the council for issues with other properties he owned.

The court was told that Kazi, of Laisteridge Lane in Little Horton Green, rented out 18 properties throughout the city with about 100 tenants, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Issues in these three homes included the door to a shared bathroom that could not be shut and a blocked drain that caused human faeces and used toilet paper to rise up into the house’s gutter.

Inspectors

Council inspectors also found rodent and cockroach infestations, a fridge which was not working and a leak in the ceiling of one room that had led to a wet patch on the carpet. When works were carried out, they were unsatisfactory, with adhesive tape used to repair parts of the roof, while the tenant had been told to put a rug over the wet patch.

Giving evidence, Kazi – who has been in the property business for 50 years - said many of the accusations had been exaggerated by Bradford Council. He said: “I’ve been doing this for a long time, that is why I’ve convinced myself what I’m doing is right. I have had people living in these places a long time, and they seem to be really happy.”

Evidence

However, Deputy District Judge Imran Hussain said his evidence was vague, inconsistent at times, and at times fanciful. “There was not a shred of expert evidence to support your case.”

He dismissed Kazi’s claims that many of the issues were the fault of a tenant. Sentencing was adjourned until next month.

Last year, Kazi admitted nine charges relating to two houses on Easby Road in the city, including failing to comply with HMO regulations, failure to comply with an emergency prohibition order, and failing to comply with an improvement notice. He claimed he made no profit from his portfolio and had to dip into his private pension to pay bills.

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