£3,500 court bill for rogue landlord renting inadequate house in Staffordshire town
A landlord renting a substandard semi-detached house in a Staffordshire town has been ordered to pay almost £3,500 after ignoring legal action requiring her to make improvements.
House owner Janice Pope was fined for a catalogue of offences including for failing to carry out repairs at the property she let to a mother-of-two in the Walton area of Stone.
The tenant complained to Stafford Borough Council because of damp and mould, a defective boiler, inadequate ventilation, a blocked drain and loose paving slabs outdoors. Following an investigation the civic centre served notices on the landlord ordering her to make improvements to the property.
A hearing at Cannock Magistrates Court heard that Pope, of Kingswear, Dartmouth, in Devon, didn’t comply with the notices and blamed the tenant for the state of disrepair.
She was found guilty in her absence of eight offences of failing to comply with abatement notices served by the council last year requiring her to address the issues. She was ordered to pay a total of £3,464 in fines and costs.
The proceedings were brought under either the Environmental Protection Act 1990 or Housing Act 2004.
After the case the council said they would be applying for Pope to be placed on the ‘Rogue Landlords Database’ - which would prevent her from renting out property again.
Councillor Ian Fordham, cabinet member for environment at the borough council, said that taking court action was always a last resort but he hoped this would send a clear message to rogue landlords to ensure their properties were up to scratch.
“We work closely with landlords offering plenty of advice and support to ensure their tenants, who are our residents, have a home that is safe to live in.
“It is vital for the borough that we have a good standard of housing stock for people to rent and it is reassuring to know that the vast majority of our landlords take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to providing this.
“Taking legal action is always a last resort - but the safety of our residents is one of the council’s top priorities and we will not turn a blind eye to those who fail to do what is necessary for keep their tenants safe.”
The borough council helped to rehome the mother and her two teenage daughters.
Councillor Fordham added: “I would encourage any tenant who is worried about the state of their property, and unable to get their landlord to do the repairs, to contact us.”
The council said there were thousands of properties in the private rented sector in Stafford Borough and landlords and tenants can find more information about their rights and duties online at https://www.staffordbc.gov.uk/main-duties-of-landlords-and-tenants.
