HMO landlord fined after council investigation

A private landlord has been ordered to pay £800 in fines and costs after investigators discovered several deficiencies in a property on Connaught Avenue in Shotton, Flintshire.

Faults included no working fire alarms, no fire doors, defective electrics and inadequate bathroom amenities.

The landlord, Glyn Trevor Roberts, had ignored requests made under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Wales) Regulations 2006 to produce gas and electrical testing certificates.

But despite the fact that an improvement notice was served under the Housing Act 2004, environmental health officers at Flintshire Council found, upon inspection, that the improvement notice had not been complied with and that the gas boiler had been condemned for safety reasons.

Roberts pleaded guilty at Wrexham Magistrates Court to all six offences relating to the rental property.

These offences included failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, failing to register rental property, failing to obtain a licence to manage rental property and failure to supply gas and electrical test certificates.

Roberts, who is in the process of selling his one and only buy-to-let property, was fined £600 and ordered to pay a contribution of £200 to Flintshire Council’s costs.

Andrew Farrow, Flintshire Council’s chief officer for planning, environment and economy, commented: “This successful prosecution sends a clear message that Flintshire County Council will not tolerate the poor management of Houses in Multiple Occupation.

“This legislation is designed to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable residents.

“It reflects Flintshire County Council’s commitment to ensuring homes in the private rented sector are in good repair, have all the necessary amenities and are properly managed.”

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