Landlords who ignore housing enforcement teams when operating unsafe or unlicensed properties have been given a wake-up call after a BTL investor was told to pay a £14,498 in fines, costs and victim compensation.
31-year-old Ramazan Ali who lives in Nottingham is to pay the sum after failing to comply with an Improvement Order issued by Derby’s city council.
Its Housing Standards Team had visited his rental property on Eton Street last summer and found serious safety issues including damp and mould, excess cold, and risks related to fire safety and falls.
The kitchen was an area of particular concern – water leaks had led to its ceiling partially collapsing but Ali did not complete any of the repairs outlined in the Improvement Notice.
Derby council consequently took him to court and at Southern Derbyshire Magistrate Court was found guilty in his absence.
He is to pay a £10,000 fine, a £2,000 victim surcharge and costs of £2,498. This is on top of an earlier prosecution over the management of the property, which had led to a £2,000 fine plus a victim surcharge of £800.
“Ensuring our residents live in safe, well-maintained homes continues to be a priority for us,” says Councillor Shiraz Khan (pictured), Cabinet Member for Housing, Strategic Planning and Regulatory Services.
“We will continue to act in the best interests of the residents who are subjected to poor housing conditions, and we will take action against those responsible.
“I would encourage anyone with concerns about their rented property or their landlord to report this to our team.”
Ali is one of two directors operating a property management firm registered at his home address. This company is facing being struck off by Companies House, and a previous company he was a director of has been dissolved.
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