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A landlord convicted of a string of offences which put the tenants of his bedsits at risk has been ordered to repay housing benefit totaling more than £5,000.

A residential property tribunal ruled that Jonathan Shingfield must repay £5,251.84 to Cheshire West and Chester Council. He received the benefit for three tenants who occupied bedsits which he was letting without a licence.

The council's Private Sector Housing Team brought the case against Shingfield after being contacted by a tenant from one of the bedsits, alleging the landlord had removed the bedsit door and glazing to a window in an attempt to force the tenant to leave.

On inspection the property was found to be poorly managed and maintained and serious issues were identified relating to fire safety, suitability of amenities and general maintenance, including staircases and windows.

Critically, the property was registered as being occupied by a single family and did not have an HMO licence.

Shingfield was convicted of offences concerning illegal eviction, the absence of a HMO licence and breaches of the HMO Management Regulations. He was fined £9,590 in addition to having to repay housing benefit.

Tenants of the property who were not claiming Housing Benefit have been advised that they can claim back rent they paid to Shingfield.

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