Telford 'rogue landlord' told to pay £20k for 'repeated failures' to fix mouldy property or install smoke alarms
A Telford landlord has been fined £16,000 and told to pay £4,000 in court costs after failing to take action to improve one of his properties.
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A case against Hussan Redha Hussain was brought to court by Telford & Wrekin Council’s private sector housing team after what they said were "repeated failures in his duty as a landlord".
The team was made aware of issues of damp and mould at a property on Briarwood in Brookside, which was rented out by Hussain.
Following inspections, the property was found to be in disrepair and the council issued Hussain with an improvement notice under section 12 of the Housing Act 2004.
But the council said Hussain failed to act on the improvement notice and also failed to install smoke alarms in the property.
He then went on to avoid responding to a s16 Requisition for Information Notice and delayed issuing gas safety and electrical installation certificates for the property.
Hussain was found guilty in his absence at Telford Magistrates’ Court in December last year for breaching the terms of both notices and the case was adjourned for sentencing.
At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court on January 22, the judge ordered Hussain to pay a fine of £15,000 for breaching the improvement notice and a £1,000 fine for failing to comply with the s16 notice.
In addition, Hussain was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and all the prosecution costs totalling £2,001.85. The total sum of £20,001.85 must be paid within 28 days.
Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s deputy leader, said: “In this case, the landlord’s failure in his legal duties clearly put the safety of tenants at risk. We will not stand for this behaviour and will not hesitate to take action when we are made aware of issues.
“Thanks to the action of our private sector housing team, this rogue landlord is now facing a hefty fine, which demonstrates just how serious this case was.
“If anyone is renting within the private sector and concerned about the safety of their home, I’d urge them to get in touch with our private sector housing team.”
More information about the private rented sector and how to contact the council’s private sector housing team can be found online.
