A council has prosecuted a local landlord for failing to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of his tenants.
Eastleigh council took the action against Christopher Grayston from Southampton, who owned an HMO in Eastleigh.
He pleaded guilty at West Hampshire Magistrates’ Court in February this year to offences brought by the council in relation to his negligent management of the property.
The case was adjourned for sentencing until October.
The offences were brought under the Housing Act 2004 for multiple breaches of the Management of HMO Regulations 2006 in respect of his property, as his tenants had been “seriously compromised and exposed to a real risk of harm, especially in terms of fire safety” according to a council statement.
The judge found that Grayston was guilty of failing to provide information to his tenants together with failing to take safety measures and to maintain common parts, fixtures, fittings and appliances.
He was sentenced him to pay £20,000 plus he was also ordered to pay the council’s costs of £1,956 and a victim surcharge of £170 – a total in excess of £22,000.
A council spokesman says: “This successful prosecution sends a strong and robust message to other HMO managers and landlords in the borough that the Council will not tolerate poor housing for tenants many of whom are often vulnerable and disadvantaged.
“It also demonstrates that the council will act to protect the health, safety and welfare of tenants and is committed to improving housing standards within the borough.”
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''Vulnerable'' tenants are not worth the bother, leave them to the local council to house .
True Andrew. But surely and I don’t have any hmos is if they attack these types of accommodations then people withdraw surely the size of the homeless population will grow. Why councils have to make such examples of those they should be working with defies logic.
Remember with these mostly Labour Councils ideology trumps pragmatism.
They simply aren't interested if their incompetent actions cause more homelessness.
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