Two Derby landlords have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 in total after breaching housing standards.

Managing agent Kevin Adrian Sutton, 57, failed to respond to three reminders to renew a licence for an HMO, triggering a visit from an investigating officer from the council.

The officer found five students living at the rented property in Milton Street, Derby. who were not related to one another, meaning they were classed as multiple households.

At South Derbyshire Magistrates Court, Sutton pleaded guilty to breaching Section 72 of the Housing Act 2004 – failing to license the property. He was fined £9,000 (reduced to £6,000 for his guilty plea), ordered to pay the council’s full prosecution costs and the maximum victim surcharge of £2,000.

In a separate case, Ramzan Ali, 31, was prosecuted for failing to produce documents in breach of Sections 235 and 236 of the Housing Act 2004.

Tenants contacted the council with concerns about safety and the terms of their tenancy.

Ali failed to produce a Gas Safety Certificate and tenancy agreements, and a survey found that the rented property on Eton Road, Derby contained nine hazards.

At South Derbyshire Magistrates Court, District Judge Jonathan Taaffe was satisfied that the case was proved and proceeded to deal with it in the defendant’s absence. Mr Ali was found guilty, fined £2,000, and ordered to pay the Council’s full prosecution costs plus a victim surcharge of £800.

A council spokesperson says: “These cases really highlight to landlords that they absolutely must pay attention to the Council’s requests. If they decide to disregard their legal duties, we won’t hesitate to step in. I would encourage anyone with concerns about their rented property or their landlord to report this to our team.”