Second fine in two months for poor standard rental accommodation

A rogue landlord has been fined twice in the space of two months for failing to provide a suitable standard of living for tenants at two of his rented properties - and is now nearly £14,000 out of pocket.

In the latest case, Jack Collins of Leeds appeared at the city’s magistrates court for not undertaking basic safety works at one of his let properties. 

Collins pleaded guilty to not complying with Improvement Notices received for a property in Leeds 11 and was fined £7,500, ordered to pay costs of £1,155 and a £170 victim surcharge.

He failed to comply with improvement notices served upon him for four flats and the communal areas at the property, and was found guilty of committing five offences under the Housing Act 2004 Section 30(1).

During an inspection of the property by Leeds council’s ‘Rogue Landlord Unit’ the hazards found included inadequate fire safety precautions; excess cold; dampness/mould growth; food safety and; issues with personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage provision. 

Despite being issued with an improvement notice Collins failed to undertake any of the works to remove the hazards which were a risk to the health and safety of his tenants, some of whom were vulnerable.

The magistrates stated that the situation was a “disgrace” and they didn’t want to see Collins in court again. 

Collins who received approximately £100,000 rental income from housing benefit payments from the council in 2016/2017, failed to employ anybody to undertake works at the property, stating that he preferred to do the work himself.

In an earlier prosecution, which was heard at Leeds Magistrates Court last month, Collins was also fined £5,121 also for failing to comply with Improvement Notices for hazards relating to inadequate fire safety precautions; dampness/mould growth; electrical safety, falls on levels and; food safety.