A landlord couple who were handed a huge fine for putting their tenants in danger have had an appeal against their fines and costs partially upheld.

Baminy Suresh, 41, and Suresh Thanabalsingham, 47, both from Cheapside in Worksop, were found guilty at Mansfield Magistrates Court last June of failing to comply with improvement notices to fix hazards at two properties, while Thanabalsingham was also found guilty of failing to remove waste that could attract vermin.

The husband and wife were originally ordered to pay a total of £171,964 in fines and costs after failing to provide financial information to the courts. Magistrates were told that the pair manage a property portfolio worth more than £1.2 million that has the potential to generate revenue of about £211,000 per year.

Original

Nottingham Crown Court has now ordered a reduction in their original fines and costs, and the landlords will pay £104,500.

The council received complaints about poor living conditions at the properties in 2023 and identified 14 hazards that involved fire, electrical, and structural issues, as well as a large amount of household waste. A reinspection in January 2024 found that no work had been completed while a later visit to one property revealed that only a new central heating system had been installed, which had created a new hazard of potential burns caused by exposed pipework.

Serious

Recorder Davis KC said the landlords’ culpability was high, resulting from serious and systematic failures to meet their statutory obligations. This represented a high risk of serious adverse effects on tenants.

Councillor Darrell Pulk, cabinet member for neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, says: “Whilst fines were ultimately reduced on appeal, the council welcome confirmation from the crown court as to the severity of the landlords’ offences and the serious risk of harm caused to their tenants.”

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