Cannock Chase Council has successfully prosecuted a local landlord for failing to manage his housing stock safely.
 |
| [relatedPosts title=”Related Posts”] |
|
|
Baden Bishop, 74 of Little Marsh Grove, Penkridge pleaded guilty to six offences on 27February at Stafford Magistrates Court. He was fined a total of £8,700 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £15 and court costs of £490.
Mr. Bishop owns a number of properties across Cannock Chase District and these offences were associated with the unsafe conditions at the property 102 Mill Street, Cannock.
The prosecution comes under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations (England) 2006 and includes the following safety offences:
- Unsafe cooker switch/socket
- Unsafe light fittings
- Unsafe shower switch
- Exposed wires on lights
- A number of sub-standard fire doors
- Loose stair coverings
The Council has been working with other local agencies since 2011, to enforce the necessary improvements to the living conditions within this property.
On 3rd November 2011, a multi-agency raid took place at four of Mr. Bishop’s properties in Mill Street and two of these (98-100) were immediately closed by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service. The building contained eight small flats and was an immediate risk to life due to fire safety issues. This building still remains closed.
Whilst carrying out this operation, health and safety issues, sub-standard living conditions and overcrowding were also identified at 102 Mill Street. Since then, the Council has made several requests to make the necessary improvements to this property and have served various notices under the Housing Act. Mr. Bishop failed to comply with this enforcement action.
Due to this, Mr. Bishop has been prosecuted for failing to manage this property correctly by maintaining health and safety standards, leading to increased risks from fire, shocks and burns, and falls on stairs.
The Council has also taken action in relation to other properties managed by Mr. Bishop and these investigations are ongoing.
Councillor Frank Allen, Leader of Housing, said:
“I’m extremely pleased with the result of this case and it shows the Council’s commitment in ensuring private landlords provide a decent living environment for their tenants.
“Houses with multiple occupancies provide a valuable component to our housing stock when managed properly, however, when they pose serious health and safety risks they become a problem.”
