Legal News
Manchester City Council has prosecuted a landlord for breaching management regulations. (8 February 2016)
Date: 08/02/2016
Under Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) legislation, Beckhall Properties Ltd was required to meet management regulations for a building converted into self-contained flats.
The HMO regulations ensure minimum safety standards are maintained at properties, including fire safety and gas safety.
In May 2015, a tenant of a building owned by Beckhall Properties Ltd complained to Manchester City Council about the condition of the premises.
When council officers visited the property on Clarenden Road to carry out an inspection, they found a number of breaches of management regulations – including a defective fire alarm and fire extinguishers, as well as a fire door that did not meet the regulations.
Stairs at the property were also found to be in a dangerous condition –
and there was no safety certificate for the building’s electrics.
Manchester City Council invited Beckhall Properties Ltd to discuss the areas of concern at an interview under caution, but received no response.
Representatives of Beckhall Properties Ltd failed to appear at a magistrates’ hearing and the case was proved in their absence – Beckhall Properties Ltd, of Lower Hillgate in Stockport was fined a total of £11,000 for 11 separate offences.
The company was also ordered to pay the city council’s costs of £1280, along with a victim of crime surcharge of £120.
After the hearing, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Bernard Priest, said:
“We take the issue of tenant safety extremely seriously – and the size of the punishment shows the court shares our concern.
“Let this action send a message to any unscrupulous landlords who may be considering neglecting their legal obligations, that we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone whose property fails to meet the required standards.”
Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors
Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise landlords and public sector or private sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters – including right to rent checks, landlord’s obligations under the Housing Act, disrepair of rented accommodation, Landlord and Tenant disputes, tenancy agreements and unlawful eviction.
There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and our housing law solicitors can also advise on Local Authority housing and council’s obligation to re-house.
For expert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.