Jun

Landlord pays £40,000 fine after large HMO found ‘shoddy and unsafe’

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A landlord in Norfolk has payed fines totalling £40,000 after he was found to have housed tenants in a shoddy and unsafe property.

Issues were reported at the Watton property (pictured) to Breckland Council last year, which prompted an inspection by officers who found a blocked fire escape, damaged fire doors, dangerous electrics and broken and rotten windows, causing them to flag the property as unsafe.

The landlord of the property, which was home to multiple tenants, was given time to carry out repairs. However, a follow-up inspection found insufficient progress had been made so the council issued a £20,000 fine to the landlord company and £20,000 to the company’s director.

Fines paid

Work to address the issues has now been completed by the landlord who has also paid the fines which will be used to fund further investigations in the Norfolk district. The council has refused to name the landlords after LandlordZONE made enquiries because the person involved has been cooperative and the ‘civil matter has been resolved’.

Councillor Claire Bowes (pictured), executive member for housing and homelessness, says the vast majority of Breckland’s landlords provide well-maintained homes for their tenants and the quality of housing overall is very good.

She adds: “However, this case shows that the council will not tolerate a decline in housing quality or for residents to be put at risk and we will take action to protect our residents’ right to live in a safe home.”

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