A council has obtained a banning order on a landlord in a ruling that is the first of its kind in the area.

This follows the prosecution by Welwyn Hatfield council of Faraz Bucha, a Hatfield-based landlord, and his management company Captain Solutions for safety failings in April this year.

He was ordered to pay over £90,000 – a record fine – when the council applied for and was successful in obtaining a banning order against him. 

This means that Bucha and his company are banned from managing, letting or having anything to do with rental properties in England for the next two years.

A spokeswoman for the council says: “This is a positive outcome, and it sends a clear message. We have a good relationship with many landlords in the borough, and as such enforcement is usually a last resort – we would much rather take an educational approach. 

“However, Mr Bucha and his company can no longer continue this negligence and risk lives.

“I would strongly urge to any prospective tenants or landlords to get registered with our accredited scheme … which offers advice and protection for both parties.”