Three landlords who left their tenants living in a home with damp, mould and no heating have been told to pay almost £2,000 each in fines and compensation.

Mohsin Bux and Moeenudin Bux, of Buncer Lane, Blackburn, and Mohammed Bux, of Preston New Road, Blackburn, ignored an Improvement Notice requiring them to take urgent action to make the property safe.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s housing standards team brought the action after an inspection of the property in Sandon Street, Blackburn, revealed serious hazards, including damp and mould, excess cold due to a lack of heating, food safety hazards, electrical hazards, fire safety risks and structural collapse.

Christmases

At the time, the tenants were paying £900 a month for the two-bedroom property and had spent two Christmases in the cold with no heating and only intermittent warm water. One woman was also having to sleep downstairs because of the mould.

The three landlords were convicted in their absence at Burnley Magistrates’ Court and have each been ordered to pay £660 in fines, a £264 victim surcharge, £313 in compensation to the tenant and £750 in council costs. They also have to complete the works set out in the Improvement Notice and will be reported to the Rogue Landlord Database.

A council spokesman says the family were living in an "appalling state" with damp, mould, no heating and dangerous structures. He adds: "We welcome the court ruling, the fines imposed and the compensation, but what is important is that the improvement works are carried out, and we will not rest until that is done."

Photo: Google Streetview

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