A buy-to-let landlord in Luton has been ordered to pay £8,510 by Luton Magistrates Court for continuing to rent out a poorly converted garage despite being ordered to stop.

Changhaiz Ishaq of Dallow Road, LU1, defied a prohibition order on his property and instead allowed tenants to live in dangerous conditions despite it being deemed unsafe for occupancy by the council.

Among the extensive list of issues with the property, there was no gas safety certificate, live cables adjacent to water supply in the shower room, evidence of rodent infestation in the kitchen, inadequate ventilation and heating throughout, resulting in mould growth, lack of windows, aggravating ventilation concerns and limiting natural light, no damp proof membrane to ground floor.

The property had become the subject of a prohibition order while under the management of a previous landlord. But when it reverted to Ishaq’s control he was still bound by the order.

However, Ishaq issued new agreements with tenants and flouted the law concerning houses in multiple occupation (HMO) by failing to secure the correct licence.

Cllr Tom Shaw, portfolio holder for housing, said: “Even though the landlord ‘inherited’ the court order he was still liable to adhere to it. Our message to unscrupulous landlords is this – no one is above the law.”

Ishaq was fined £440 for not having an HMO licence; £7,700 for breaching the order, £440; a victim surcharge of £120 and costs of £250.