Landlord fined for neglecting rental property

Essex based, Mr Kuldip Singh Minhas, was fined a total of £7515 (including a fine of £3750, and ordered to pay Council's costs of £3750 and a £15 Victim surcharge) for failing to comply with a Council issued Improvement Notice.

Council officers inspected the Shelley Avenue flat, following a complaint from the tenant, and found the property in a state if disrepair.

The property had several rotten window sets and door frames. Water was leaking through the ceiling from an adjoining property and a poorly installed skylight was also allowing moisture into the home.

The kitchen units and food preparation area were in very poor condition and the floor coverings throughout the flat were uneven and damaged.

Council officers had additional concerns about the security of the property with several doors lacking adequate locks.

The Council served an Improvement Notice on Mr Minhas for several category one and two hazards under the housing health and safety rating system.

The landlord was required to address these issues through a schedule of works included in the improvement notice with specific timescales for these works to be completed in.

The Court found, despite the improvement notice, the landlord had made no attempt to contact or work with the Council to rectify the defects to the property. The landlord claimed he was waiting for the tenant to move out before undertaking the improvements.

Executive member for Housing, Process and Business Efficiency, Clr Andrew Baikie, said: "This should be a warning to all landlords who show a total disregard for the upkeep of their properties. Landlords have a duty of care to provide a safe and secure residence for their tenants."

"It's important that all housing stock throughout the borough is kept at a decent level so they don't become eyesores, encourage anti-social behaviour or become wasted housing opportunities".

"The Council looks out for the rights of all residents in Newham whether they live in private or council housing. In this case the landlord made no attempt to carry out the necessary improvements to the property and was making the tenant live in substandard accommodation."

If you are concerned about the condition of the property you rent and your landlord refuses to carry out any necessary repairs, or if you have concerns about being evicted from your property or other tenancy concerns please contact the Private Sector Housing Team on 020 33739859 or e-mail ENVPrivate.sectorhousing@newham.gov.uk