A landlord who failed to comply with an Improvement Notice and carry out essential repairs to his property was ordered to pay fines and costs of almost £800 following an investigation by Harrogate Borough Council.

Private landlord Damian John Green, of Heather Lea Avenue in Sheffield, failed to carry out the required works to his rental property on Robert Street, Harrogate, within the agreed time of the variation notice.

Green pleaded guilty to non-compliance of an Improvement Notice for substandard and rotten window sashes and frames, despite the initial notice being varied to provide additional time for compliance within a time-frame agreed with the landlord.

The defendant did not attend the hearing at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court. Instead he entered a guilty plea by post and was fined £400, ordered to pay the council’s costs of £351 and a victim surcharge of £40.

Councillor Mike Chambers, Harrogate Borough Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “This successful prosecution demonstrates the council’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the rights of private tenants in the district.

“We are dedicated to ensuring that landlords operate within the law and provide safe accommodation for residents.

“We do not tolerate poor housing standards or complete disregard for tenant welfare.

“Wherever possible we will continue to work with landlords to improve the private rented sector, but will not hesitate to take enforcement action where necessary, and prosecute for further disregard and non-compliance as a last resort.”