Fine issued in May 2023 upheld by First Tier Tribunal

Fine issued in May 2023 upheld by First Tier Tribunal


Todays other news
The new analysis comes from Knight Frank...
The activist group wants far more tenant power than given...
Many lenders decline properties with this foam - making them...
The briefing, held this week, aimed to bring letting agents...

The landlord of a property suffering from severe damp, mould and other hazards has been fined £3,000. 

Swale council took actions against the landlord for failing to comply with an improvement notice issued, after serious hazards were found at the property. 

Council officers inspected the property after a complaint and found severe damp and mould caused by leaks, missing sealant, and a defective extractor fan in the shower room. 

They also discovered an entry point for pests, food safety issues due to unsecured storage cupboards, uneven flooring, electrical hazards, fire risks and excess cold due to a lack of fixed space heating in the property.  

Despite being served with an improvement notice to rectify the issues, the landlord failed to take the necessary actions to address the dangerous conditions in the time expected.

This left the council with no other option than imposing a fine for failing to comply with the legal notice.

A council spokesperson says: “Everyone has the right to live in a safe home, and when people decide to become a landlord that is a responsibility they take on.  

“Regardless of how challenging it may be to make the changes needed, the safety of your tenants must be your top priority, and you need to make every effort to fix any hazards within your property.  

“Our officers work incredibly hard investigating unsafe homes and working with landlords across Swale to make sure their properties are kept to a safe standard.  

“This penalty should serve as a warning to landlords who flout the rules and, by doing so, put their tenants lives at risk.”  

The proceeds of the fine are ring fenced and will be directly reinvested back into the council’s private housing enforcement efforts. The council claims this will support ongoing inspections, investigations and enforcement actions to help maintain housing standards and protect vulnerable tenants from unsafe living conditions. 

The fine was issued in May 2023 but was appealed by the landlord, and last monmyh the First-Tier Tribunal rejected the appeal but agreed to reduce the penalty from £6,000 to £3,000. 

The landlord has decided not to appeal this decision and has agreed to pay the fine, and is undertaking the necessary actions to address the hazards.

Share this article ...

Join the conversation: Login and have your say

Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions. All comments are screened using specialist software and may be reviewed by our editorial team before publication. Landlord Today reserves the right to edit, withhold or delete comments that violate our guidelines, including those that harass, degrade, or intimidate others. Users who post such content may be banned from commenting.
By commenting, you agree to our Commenting Terms of Use.
Subscribe to comments
Notify of
1 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Recommended for you
Related Articles
Many lenders decline properties with this foam - making them...
So far the proposal has won backing from conveyancers and...
The landlord failed to act on an Improvement Notice...
The tenant was in hospital when he was evicted illegally...
The controversial proposal is backed by the Welsh Government...
Growing arrears, falling yields and new laws make 2025 a...
Recommended for you
Latest Features
A survey which spoke with 3,500 landlords, tenants and agents...
Does the Scottish situation resonate with landlords in the rest...
There's been an increase in reports of mould in homes...
Sponsored Content
1
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x

Send to a friend

In order to send this article to a friend you must first login. Click on the button below to login or sign up.

No one likes pop-ups ...
But while you're here