A landlord has been prosecuted by Reading Borough Council and ordered to pay £5,700 by magistrates after failing to meet national safety standards.
The company JV Chandler & Co Builders Ltd and one of its directors, James Victor Chandler, based in Woodley, were prosecuted on 12 February at Reading Magistrates Court for neglecting to maintain a house in multiple occupation on the London Road, Reading.
Chandler and JV Chandler & Co Builders Ltd pleaded guilty to nine charges, including the disrepair of a kitchen ceiling, broken doors, faulty electrical sockets, poorly maintained drains, leaking pipes, obstructed fire escapes and a damaged roof with missing slates.
The building company and its director were fined £2,700 in total and also ordered to pay costs of £3,000.
It is the latest prosecution by Reading Borough Council of landlords who fail to meet standards for their properties, putting their tenant’s health and safety at risk. The council is again warning landlords of HMOs to comply with the law or face severe consequences.
Richard Davies, Reading’s lead councillor for housing, said: “The private rented sector is large in Reading and is a rapidly growing market. The council values the contribution made by well managed and licensed houses in multiple occupation within the local housing market and will continue to monitor the occupation of these types of property to ensure they maintain a high standard of accommodation.
“Unfortunately, there are a few who do not meet the standards their tenants have a right to expect. We take our regulatory duties for HMOs very seriously and will prosecute those who flout the law.”
