A north of England council says it’s held two local landlords to account after they failed to make essential repairs to their tenant’s heating system.

David Griffiths and Emily Griffiths, who own the property in the Bassetlaw council area, failed to maintain a gas heating system that left their tenant with no hot water or heating between August 15 and September 6 last year.

The Griffiths’ were found guilty of charges relating to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 at Mansfield Magistrates Court and were each fined £990, ordered to contribute costs of £356 and pay a Victim Surcharge of £396. Totalling £1,742 for each defendant.

In September 2021, Bassetlaw council received a complaint from the tenant that their home was in a state of disrepair and, following an inspection, officers identified hazards relating to gas safety, electrical safety, food safety, personal hygiene, and structural issues.

Over the next 11 months, the council received more complaints from the tenant that although some problems had been rectified, there was a persistent issue with the central heating and hot water boiler and the landlord was not responding to their messages for support.

As a result, the council served a notice requiring the landlords to carry out work that would reinstate a constant supply of hot running water to the property. 

The property owners failed to comply with the notice and the council replaced the boiler in default of the notice.

While the defendants corresponded with the council throughout the process, and have now reimbursed the council for the replacement boiler, they failed to attend an interview under caution when requested and did not attend the hearing at Mansfield Magistrates Court, where the case was proven in their absence.

A council spokesperson says: “As a local authority we have powers at our disposal to ensure that landlords provide their tenants with safe and warm homes. Mr and Mrs Griffiths failed their tenant and left them to live in conditions that were completely unacceptable.

“We hope that by highlighting this case, we send a message to neglectful landlords that if your properties do not meet the required standards, we can and will take action against you.”