A council has prosecuted a landlord after serious hazards were identified at a privately rented property.

The landlord, Zaffar Hussain of Sheffield, was responsible for a privately rented property in Rotherham. 

An inspection by the council identified a number of hazards, including exposed electrical wiring, the absence of smoke alarms, fire safety concerns, poor property security, excess cold, defective windows and evidence of rodent infestation. 

The council served a legal notice requiring the landlord to carry out remedial works to address the risks identified. 

Despite the notice being issued, the required works were not completed. 

Some repairs were attempted but were unfinished and did not resolve the hazards present. 

As a result, the council took legal action. 

Hussain was subsequently convicted and ordered to pay a £4,000 fine, a £1,600 victim surcharge, £500 in compensation, and £564.30 in prosecution costs, bringing the total financial penalty to £6,664.30. 

A Rotherham council spokesperson says: “This case shows what can happen when landlords repeatedly ignore their legal responsibilities and fail to act, even after being formally required to do so. 

“The vast majority of landlords in Rotherham do the right thing, and we will continue to support those who manage their properties responsibly. 

“However, we will not hesitate to take firm enforcement action where landlords put tenants’ health and safety at risk.”