A St Helens landlord who works as a criminal law solicitor has been fined £3,500 and ordered to pay costs of £3,807 for failing to comply with a Formal Improvement Notice which tried to get her to bring shoddy bedsits up to standard.
Criminal law solicitor Grace France lives in Victoria, Central London but lets out property in St Helens.
Criminal law solicitor Grace France lives in Victoria, Central London but lets out property in St Helens.
The solicitor changed her plea during a trial at St Helens Magistrates’ Court and eventually admitted the charge. The judge heard how the council became concerned about conditions at a house owned by the defendant and converted into six bedsits.
Over a four-year period council officers had attempted to work with the defendant to remedy a series of disrepair issues including lack of a fire alarm system, damp and excessive cold.
Yet even after serving two Minded To notices – aimed at gaining a reasonable working relationship with the landlord – the necessary repair work failed to take place and conditions grew worse.
The Formal Improvement Notice was served in January 2013 but by the time it expired – in May 2013 – the work had still not been completed.
Even though several extensions were agreed, a re-inspection in December 2013 revealed that little work had taken place and that conditions had deteriorated further.
Throughout the process – until November 2013 – tenants had continued to occupy the bedsits.
Over a four-year period council officers had attempted to work with the defendant to remedy a series of disrepair issues including lack of a fire alarm system, damp and excessive cold.
Yet even after serving two Minded To notices – aimed at gaining a reasonable working relationship with the landlord – the necessary repair work failed to take place and conditions grew worse.
The Formal Improvement Notice was served in January 2013 but by the time it expired – in May 2013 – the work had still not been completed.
Even though several extensions were agreed, a re-inspection in December 2013 revealed that little work had taken place and that conditions had deteriorated further.
Throughout the process – until November 2013 – tenants had continued to occupy the bedsits.
Councillor Richard McCauley, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, housing, planning and community safety, said: “This case shows that no one is above the law – and that we will take the appropriate action when necessary.
“Credit must go to the council officers who pursued this case with diligence and determination – and whose job it is to protect the rights of tenants across the borough.”
http://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/news_features/Solicitor-landlord-order-to-pay-more-than-%C2%A37-000
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