Three landlords who left their tenants living in a home with damp, mould and no heating have been prosecuted and ordered to pay almost £2,000 each.

But the local council says it’s not going to rest until it ensures the landlords improve the properties. 

Blackburn with Darwen council brought the action after Mohsin Bux, Moeenudin Bux and Mohammed Bux, all of Blackburn, ignored an Improvement Notice requiring them to take urgent action to make a property safe.

Hazards at the property include Damp and mould; Excess cold due to a lack of heating; Food safety hazards; Electrical hazards; Fire safety risks; and Structural collapse.

At the time, the tenants were paying £900 a month for the two-bedroom property and had spent two Christmases in the cold with no heating and only intermittent warm water.

One of the female tenants was also having to sleep downstairs because of the mould.

The three landlords were convicted in their absence at Burnley Magistrates’ Court and have each been ordered to pay £1,987.36 in fines, compensation and court costs.

The landlords must also complete the works set out in the Improvement Notice issued under Sections 11 and 12 of the Housing Act and will be reported to the Rogue Landlord Database.

A council spokesperson says: “Behind this prosecution is a family who has been living in an appalling state with damp, mould, no heating, dangerous structures and more.

“No family should have to live like that, and we absolutely won’t tolerate this in our borough. Our residents deserve better.

“We welcome the court ruling, the fines imposed and the compensation, but what is important is that the improvement works are carried out, and we will not rest until that is done.”.