A Darlington landlord has been fined £1,000 for failing to comply with
an Environmental Protection Act Notice served by the council.
The notice served because the property that he rented out was in such a
state that it would put the health of the tenants and any visitors to
the property at risk.
The landlord Kieron Munnelly, of South Street, Derbyshire, pleaded
guilty by post to failing to comply with the notice. He was fined £1,000
for the offence and ordered to pay court costs totalling £500.
The property, on Streatlam Road in Darlington, which was let at the
time to a mother and her three children aged eight and six-years-old and
two months old, had broken heating, draughty windows, damaged light
switches and disrepair to the staircase guarding.
The private sector housing team from Darlington Borough Council visited
the property in March 2014 following a complaint and found that the
tenant and her children had been living in the property without heating
since October 2013 and was having trouble getting the landlord to carry
out the repairs.
The landlord was given every opportunity by the council to carry out
the repairs before the notice was issued. The works were completed in
default of the notice by the council’s building services and the
landlord was charged accordingly. The prosecution case was brought
against Munnelly for failing to comply with the notice.
David Burrell, private sector housing manager, for Darlington Borough
Council said: “Action was taken against a landlord who left his tenants
over winter without adequate heating. The private sector housing team
works hard to protect tenants and ensure that they are able to live in a
safe and warm home.
“It is worth noting that some private tenants depending upon their
personal circumstances may qualify for a free or subsidised price gas
boiler and should contact Warm up North on Free Phone 0800 316 4320 for
further details. Landlords can also make enquires about whether their
tenants and properties qualify for a new boiler.”
Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member
for economy and regeneration, said: “It is shocking to hear that the
health and wellbeing of a young family has been put at risk. The council
has a duty to act where landlords have failed to provide safe living
conditions for their tenants. Whilst we always try to work with
landlords and help them, action will be taken where they fail to adhere
to legal requirements.”
http://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/news_features/Darlington-landlord-fined-%C2%A31-000-for-cold-home
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