This article is an external press release originally published on the Landlord News website, which has now been migrated to the Just Landlords blog.
A rogue landlord has been told to pay over £7,000, after a series of failings put the lives of his tenants at risk.
Mr Daniel Woulfe pleaded guilty to poorly managing two rented homes in Worthing and not carrying out works to improve standards.
Failings
The court appearance was Woulfe’s third, after officers from Worthing Borough Council’s private sector housing team inspected the two properties.
Fire safety provisions within the houses were found to be substandard, as were the electrical installations.
After he had ignored improvement notices, the council decided to act by telling Worthing Borough Council’s legal services team to start prosecution.
Mr Woulfe pleaded guilty at Worthing Magistrates Court to 11 offences under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006 and the Housing Act 2004.
He was subsequently fined £4,250, with full costs of £2,811.95 and a victim surcharge of £50, bringing the total to £7,11.95.
Rogue landlord fined over £7,000
Substandard
Councillor Dr Heather Mercer, executive member for customer services at Worthing Borough Council, said: ‘This is another example of the need for the invaluable service provided by the Council’s Private Sector Housing Team, clamping down on landlords running substandard and hazardous properties.’[1]
‘We have a responsibility to do all in our power to help create healthy, safe places in which people can thrive – so we will continue to act where we see substandard properties putting people at risk. Poor landlords must realise that court action is not the end of the matter and Worthing Borough Council will persist in ensuring that landlords comply with their legal duty to manage and run their properties safely,’ she added.[1]
[1] https://www.landlordtoday.co.uk/breaking-news/2017/3/landlord-fined-over-7-000-for-putting-tenants-at-risk
