Epsom landlord fined for neglect
A bedsit landlord who repeatedly ignored warnings to fix flats dubbed “cold”, “damp”, “filthy”, and a “firetrap” has been hit with a court bill approaching £32,000.
Epsom Pars Limited, which runs a 21-room house in multiple occupation (HMO) near Epsom Downs was ordered to pay the fines and costs by Staines Magistrates’ Court after they pleaded guilty to 48 criminal charges.
The case was brought forward by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council after the landlord repeatedly ignored warnings to carry out improvement works to the property.
Councillor Rich Michalowski, executive member for place, planning and regulatory services said: “This case underscores the importance of landlords being held accountable to ensure tenants are living in safe, well-maintained homes.
“Reigate and Banstead enforcement teams, armed with legal powers, will continue to take action against those who fail to meet the legal standards, ensuring that unsafe and unfit housing has no place in our borough.”
The company was ordered to pay fines, costs, and a victim surcharge totalling £31,840. The charges included various forms of disrepair and fire safety offences, the council said.
The prosecution comes on the back of months of exchanges between the landlord and the council.
During that time officers from the private sector housing team were said to have repeatedly warned the landlord against its continued non-compliance that left people living in “cold”, “damp”, “filthy” “firetrap” of a property.
During sentencing, magistrates spoke of the “repeated, unacceptable non-compliance” and noted that the problems identified had put tenants at risk, according to a council statement.
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