Buy to let landlord prosecuted for breach of notices

A private residential landlord has been fined after Rugby Borough Council took a second prosecution against him for failure to comply with 12 improvement notices.

Nasir Ali of Manor Road in Rugby, had previously been prosecuted by the Council in August 2007 for the same offences, and was then fined £2,500 plus costs.

When he did not comply with the original notices, relating to the rented Bath Street house, the Council prosecuted him again.

The Improvement Notices were served on the landlord following an inspection of the property. Council officers identified a number of repairs which were required to bring the property up to a safe standard but Ali failed to undertake the necessary repairs within the specified time period.

The Council brought a prosecution against the landlord for the offence of failing to comply with the Improvement Notices, under the Housing Act 2004. Ali pleaded guilty and was fined £3,600 and ordered to pay £551 costs.

Sean Lawson, Head of Environmental Services at Rugby Borough Council, said: “We have a duty to protect our residents, whether they live in Council or privately owned homes.

“We had already taken Mr Ali to court ordering him to make the improvements to the home. And nearly two years on those works have still not started.

“Landlords should understand that the Council has the powers to prosecute them for not complying with a formal notice and also to undertake those works required in default if the landlord has failed to comply.

The Council can then recharge the landlord for all costs incurred.

“As a Council we are looking to work proactively with landlords to improve conditions within the private rented sector to avoid having to take enforcement action. We would encourage landlords to contact us for advice on standards for rented accommodation.”