An unnamed landlord has been prosecuted after Rochdale council discovered they had unlawfully allowed occupation of a property that had been ruled prohibited.

Following a complaint from a recently vacated tenant in February 2022, Rochford council officers inspected the property under the Housing Act 2004. 

It was deemed unfit for human habitation and a prohibition notice under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 section 20 and 21 was served on the March 2 2022.

But on May 3 2022 the council received information that persons were living in the property. A warrant was then obtained for entry and persons were found residing in the property in breach of the Prohibition Order. 

Prosecution proceedings were started and now the landlord has appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court for a plea hearing. The landlord pleaded guilty to the offence and received a £300 fine, ordered to pay £1,700.00 prosecution costs and a £34 victim surcharge.  

A council spokesperson says: “We hope this successful prosecution acts as a warning to all landlords within the district. We will not tolerate landlords that allow residents to live in unfit properties.”