A landlord who failed to provide information regarding a buy to let property has been fined £2,080. 

Tenants contacted Colchester council in December with concerns about the property in the town. 

As part of its investigation into potential breaches of housing standards legislation, the council served a notice requesting information about the ownership and management of the property, which was not provided. 

Now Colchester magistrates has found landlord Philip Hogg, who did not attend the hearing, guilty of failing to comply with the requirements of the notice. 

He was fined £1,760 for the offence and ordered him to pay £150 in costs and £170 in a victim surcharge.

A council spokesman says: “Colchester Borough Council is committed to improving standards of private sector housing accommodation across the borough, and when accommodation is not being responsibly managed and regulations are breached, we will take legal action to remedy the situation and ensure tenants can enjoy a safe and healthy home which meets regulations.”