Apr

A rogue landlord whose HMO was dangerous and uninhabitable has been handed a £48,000 fine

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Tariq Javed, from Aylesbury, failed to comply with HMO regulations for his property on St Johns Road in the town, following regular inspections by Buckinghamshire Council officers from October 2019 to February 2020.

Javed was given multiple warnings that the house did not meet minimum standards. Officers found a long list of problems including a non-working fire detection unit, obstructed fire escape routes, trip hazards and a lack of lighting on staircase and other escape routes. The landlord failed to comply with notices to provide legal documents such as tenancy agreements and gas safety certificates. He also failed to comply with an improvement notice to bring the property up to an acceptable standard.

Javed did not appear before Buckinghamshire Magistrates Court to explain his actions and was fined £48,000 in his absence, which included more than £6,000 in costs. The magistrate said: “We believe Mr Javed exercises control and manages the property. Within the property hygiene was woefully lacking, it was uninhabitable. The kitchen was unfit for use, the gas supply was a risk and there was danger of electrocution.”

He added: “Importantly the escape routes were cluttered and dangerous due to trip hazards and a child could fall through the gaps in the staircase bannister.”

Nigel Dicker, service director for housing and regulatory services for Buckinghamshire Council, says: “Mr Javed failed in his duty as a landlord to provide decent, safe and clean accommodation for his tenants. He did not comply with legal requests from council officers to carry out the works needed to improve the property. We hope this substantial fine sends the loud and clear message to any landlord who puts profits ahead of people that we will always take action to protect our residents.”

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