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Landlord fined over £11,000 after being found guilty of multiple offences

A buy-to-let landlord in Flintshire has been given 28 days to pay a fine of £11,081 after being found guilty of nine offences.

Steven John Gleave from Prestatyn was found guilty of failing to comply with an Improvement Notice and eight other housing offences, including failing to register his rental property with Rent Smart Wales and failing to obtain a licence to operate as a private landlord in Wales.

The ground floor flat in Shotton, which is occupied by an elderly tenant, was subject to the Improvement Notice, issued under the Housing Act 2004, because it had not been maintained over a number of years.

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In fact, the tenant was left living in inadequate conditions due to long-term neglect, including penetrated dampness, black mould growth, a lack of adequate heating, poor kitchen and bathing facilities, poor fire safety provisions as well as missing slates on the roof.

It also transpired that the landlord refused to pay off the electricity bill for another flat in the same building and refused to get the electricity meter for both flats separated, leaving the tenant with no alternative but to pay off the arrears of more than £1, 400 through the shared meter.

Cllr Christopher Bithell, Flintshire County Council’s cabinet member for planning and public protection, said: “This successful prosecution reflects Flintshire County Council’s commitment to ensuring homes in the private rented sector meet all the legal standards required for private housing in Wales.

“We believe everyone has the right to live in a home which is in good repair, has ready access to all necessary amenities and is free from physical hazards.

“Whilst we aim to reduce the health effects of poor housing conditions through a combination of advice and financial assistance, occasionally we deal with matters that are so serious a prosecution is necessary.

“This successful prosecution sends out a clear message to other private landlords, that non-compliance with current housing standards and non compliance with the Rent Smart Wales laws – is completely unacceptable.”

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