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Written by Emma Lunn

A Darlington landlord has been fined £1,000 for failing to comply with an Environmental Protection Act Notice served by the council.

The notice served because the property that he rented out was in such a state that it would put the health of the tenants and any visitors to the property at risk.

The landlord Kieron Munnelly, of South Street, Derbyshire, pleaded guilty by post to failing to comply with the notice. He was fined £1,000 for the offence and ordered to pay court costs totalling £500.

The property, on Streatlam Road in Darlington, which was let at the time to a mother and her three children aged eight and six-years-old and two months old, had broken heating, draughty windows, damaged light switches and disrepair to the staircase guarding.

The private sector housing team from Darlington Borough Council visited the property in March 2014 following a complaint and found that the tenant and her children had been living in the property without heating since October 2013 and was having trouble getting the landlord to carry out the repairs.

The landlord was given every opportunity by the council to carry out the repairs before the notice was issued. The works were completed in default of the notice by the council’s building services and the landlord was charged accordingly. The prosecution case was brought against Munnelly for failing to comply with the notice.

David Burrell, private sector housing manager, for Darlington Borough Council said: “Action was taken against a landlord who left his tenants over winter without adequate heating. The private sector housing team works hard to protect tenants and ensure that they are able to live in a safe and warm home.

“It is worth noting that some private tenants depending upon their personal circumstances may qualify for a free or subsidised price gas boiler and should contact Warm up North on Free Phone 0800 316 4320 for further details. Landlords can also make enquires about whether their tenants and properties qualify for a new boiler.” 

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for economy and regeneration, said: “It is shocking to hear that the health and wellbeing of a young family has been put at risk. The council has a duty to act where landlords have failed to provide safe living conditions for their tenants. Whilst we always try to work with landlords and help them, action will be taken where they fail to adhere to legal requirements.”

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