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Hackney landlord prosecuted for serious hazards in Margate property
A London-based landlord has been fined £3,000 for failing to comply with the requirements of two Improvement Notices served by Thanet District Council.
In March 2014, a council housing officer visited a flat in Northdown Road, Margate and discovered serious health and safety hazards. A defective roof had caused severe damp and mould growth within the flat. There were also deficiencies with the fire precautions.
Enquiries revealed that the landlord was Goldlane Developments Ltd of Windus Road, London N16. Thanet Distrcit Council served Improvement Notices requiring repairs to be carried out, together with fire safety improvements.
Unfortunately, when officers returned to the property after the notice deadlines had expired, none of the work had been completed. The landlord was invited to a meeting to discuss the situation but the invitation was ignored.
In a case heard at Canterbury Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 21 April 2015, Goldlane Developments Ltd pleaded guilty to charges of failing to comply with the Improvement Notices without reasonable excuse and were fined a total of £3,000. The company was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120 and contribute £120 towards the council’s prosecution costs.
The necessary works were completed, but only after the council had commenced legal proceedings.
Tanya Wenham, the council’s Head of Housing Services, said: “This company showed a lack of concern for the health and safety of its tenants. We always try to work with landlords to improve housing conditions, but when necessary we will prosecute if it is in the public interest to do so. Allowing homes to remain seriously damp for months on end is unacceptable. Damp not only affects physical health, it can also have social and mental health effects too.”
