Thanet District Council has prosecuted a private landlord for failing to comply with three Improvement Notices.
Anastasio Homes Ltd of Chapel Place in Ramsgate, Kent was served with Improvement Notices following a referral from the Kent Fire & Rescue Service.
Officers from Thanet Council’s Housing Regeneration Team visited a property at 47 Crescent Road in Ramsgate in September 2013 – and found two flats with serious health and safety hazards.
Neither flat had any working means of space heating or automatic fire detection – and there were no fire alarms in the common areas.
The notices served by the council required the provision of adequate space heating and fire precautions.
When officers returned to the premises after the notice deadlines had expired – and had twice been extended at the request of the landlord – none of the ordered work had been completed.
The landlord was invited to a meeting to discuss the situation, but the invitation was ignored.
At Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on 18 September, Anastasio Homes Ltd pleaded guilty to charges of failing to comply with Improvement Notices without reasonable excuse.
The company was fined £13,330 for failing to comply with the Improvement Notices and was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.
The company was also ordered to contribute £120 towards the council's prosecution costs – a total of £13,570 in penalties.
After the hearing, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Services, Councillor Lin Fairbrass, said:
“The council enforces housing standards vigorously in all parts of Thanet.
“We do, wherever possible, try to be flexible with timescales where improvements are required. However, when there is blatant disregard for tenant safety, we will prosecute when it is in the public interest to do so.
“This landlord showed little concern for the health and safety of its tenants.”
Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors
Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise private sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including disrepair, landlord and tenant disputes, tenancy agreements and unlawful eviction.
Duncan Lewis can also advise private sector landlords on their obligations under the Housing Act or on landlord and tenant matters – as well as offering legal advice and defence services in case of prosecution under the Act.
For expert legal advice on all housing matters, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.