Landlord ignores Improvement Notice and ends up in court
Summary
A landlord was prosecuted after failing to comply with an Improvement Notice served by South Holland council following an inspection that identified serious hazards in a rental property in Long Sutton. The hazards included excess cold, stair-related fall risk, fire hazards, and damp and mould, and the landlord was fined after officers found the required works had not been completed.
Why it matters
This is a clear example of local authority enforcement where statutory housing standards are not met, even if the tenant has left the property. Residential property surveyors may encounter similar compliance issues when assessing condition, hazards, or enforcement risk in rented homes.
Key points
- Improvement Notice served after inspection found Category 1 and 2 hazards.
- Hazards cited included excess cold, falls on stairs, fire risk, damp and mould.
- Landlord remained responsible for compliance after the tenant moved out.
- Council obtained a Warrant of Entry after access was repeatedly refused.
- Court imposed fines, surcharge and costs totalling £6,408.
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