A landlord has had to pay £13,775 in fines and costs after a council prosecution for failing to comply with HMO regulations.
Daniel Philpott of Paignton in Devon pleaded not guilty to 17 offences of failing to comply with The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions)(England) Regulations 2007, at two HMOs he owned in the seaside town.
But magistrates found him guilty of 14 of the offences, relating to contraventions of regulations over fire and electrical safety, security, windows in poor condition and general lack of maintenance - all caused, claimed the council, by his mismanagement.
The authority claimed there were too few thorough and regular inspections, and said that Philpott had an unwillingness to engage effectively with Torbay Council which resulted in tenants being exposed to unsafe conditions and the properties having a detrimental impact on local residents.
This is the latest in a series of prosecutions led by Torbay Council; like others around the country, the court cases are under the so-called Rogue Landlords Programme, operating with local police, the Immigration Service and other statutory bodies.
Comments
I'm glad that he's gotten such a hefty fine! From a landlord perspective, I don't understand how you could have such a disregard for your own properties seeing as you own and are responsible for them!! The regulations are pretty clear cut and to disregard them like that puts all landlords in a negative light!