Emergency Prohibition Order 

A rogue landlord has been prosecuted for failing to comply with an Emergency Prohibition Order.

Zakir Shah of Birmingham was found guilty of two charges of failing to comply with an Emergency Prohibition Order at Dudley Magistrates Court.  

He was fined a total of £2,200 (£1,100 per offence), ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £880, and the council’s full costs of £2,192.59. The total sum of £5,272.59 is payable within 28 days, and a collection order was for the total sum.

Shah, being the leaseholder of a three-storey property at Rowley Regis, allowed occupants to use the residential parts of the property whilst they were in a hazardous state.

Sandwell council officers inspected the property in 2023 and found it to be in a dangerous condition with significant health and safety hazards. 

As a result, an Emergency Prohibition Order was served on Shah, prohibiting residential parts of the property from being used for the purposes of sleeping and residing. 

Despite this order, Shah continued to allow the property to be used and during follow-up inspections on 16 April 2024 and 18 April 2024, officers found the residential parts still occupied and in the same hazardous state..

Councillor Vicki Smith, responsible for housing, says: “We are pleased with the outcome of this case. It sends a clear message that Sandwell Council will not tolerate any breaches of housing regulations. 

“Our priority is to protect our residents and ensure they live in safe and healthy environments. We will continue to take firm action against landlords who disregard legal orders and put tenants at risk.”