Two landlords have been handed big fines for failing to improve hazards in their rental properties.

Ashraf Talukder was fined £3,000 due to ongoing health and safety risks after he failed to address issues outlined in an improvement notice, and another £2,000 for letting the property in Lingfield High Street without a valid EPC.

Tandridge Council’s environmental health team identified serious hazards during an inspection including a lack of fire precautions, electrics in poor condition, windows either incapable of being opened or opening without restriction and the absence of a fully functioning kitchen.

Serious

Meanwhile, Rotherham Council prosecuted Zaffar Hussain, of Tinsley Drive, Sheffield, after serious hazards were found at his rental home in Foljambe Road, Rotherham. An inspection identified exposed electrical wiring, the absence of smoke alarms, fire safety concerns, poor property security, excess cold, defective windows and evidence of a rodent infestation.

The council served a legal notice requiring Hussain to carry out remedial works to address the risks identified. However, he didn’t complete the work; some repairs were attempted but were unfinished, leaving unresolved hazards.

Ordered

Hussain was convicted and ordered to pay a £4,000 fine, £1,600 victim surcharge, £500 in compensation, and £564 in prosecution costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £6,664.

Councillor Linda Beresford, (pictured) cabinet member for housing at Rotherham Council, says: “Everyone deserves to live in a home that is safe, warm and free from hazards. This case shows what can happen when landlords repeatedly ignore their legal responsibilities and fail to act, even after being formally required to do so.”

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