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Written by rosalind renshaw

A landlord who rented out a dangerous and sub-standard house has been ordered to pay £30,000 in prosecution costs within 12 weeks.

He was also sentenced to six months’ jail, suspended for 12 months and given 200 hours of community service.

Steven James Boote, 41, of Nuneaton, was prosecuted for failing to comply with an Improvement Notice served under Section 11 of the Housing Act 2004 by Coventry City Council.


In November 2009 an inspection by council officers of his rental property in Coventry revealed numerous hazards including severe damp and mould, electrical hazards and inadequate cooking facilities. There was also no evidence to suggest that the gas safety had been checked for some time.

Officers served a statutory notice on the landlord requiring him to rectify these hazards. He was also reported to the Health and Safety Executive for failing to provide a gas safety certificate.



Dharminder Brainch, prosecuting officer for Coventry City Council, said: “Boote had made no attempt to resolve any of the problems at the property and ultimately failed to comply with an improvement notice. He has shown a total disregard for his tenant’s safety.”



A joint prosecution was instigated between Coventry City Council and the Health and Safety Executive.



During a two-day trial on April 11 and 12, Boote pleaded not guilty to three separate charges. His main defence was that he was not residing at an address in Nuneaton at the time when legal notices were served and that he had been refused access to carry out remedial works.



However, the judge said Boote had contradicted himself on numerous occasions regarding dates as to when he was living in Nuneaton. Boote maintained that his contractors were refused access. However, at no occasion were any appointments made with the tenant. All visits were unannounced and at the spur of the moment.

The judge it was perfectly reasonable for the tenant to be out when these unannounced attempts were made.


Steve Chantler, senior housing enforcement officer, said after the case: “The costs issued are extremely high and reflect the seriousness of the offences and the disregard shown by Mr Boote to the law and the safety of his tenant.

“We always endeavour to avoid legal action if at all possible. And in this case the landlord was given ample opportunity to carry out the repairs informally. Unfortunately, we were left with no other option but to take statutory enforcement action.”

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