The owner of a Sandwell estate of eight blocks of flats has been hit with a massive £45,900 penalty by magistrates for failing to carry out repairs.
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The case was brought by Sandwell Council against Trafalgar Court Property Limited over its continued failure to deal with repairs at Trafalgar Court in Tividale.
The penalty handed down by Sandwell magistrates, magistrates is one of the largest judgments against a single landlord in a case brought by the council.
The company was found guilty of failing to comply with six improvement notices and two abatement notices served by the council.
The company failed to carry out repairs and also failed to attend the court on April 22. The case was heard in its absence.Magistrates were told that Trafalgar Court Property Limited had not completed any of the works required to a satisfactory standard as outlined within the improvement and abatement notices.
The notices required the company to repair dilapidated and dangerous stairs, walkways and porches in the communal areas of the blocks.Magistrates were critical of the company’s failure to carry out such serious repairs and described the situation as “disgusting”.
Trafalgar Court Property Limited were fined the maximum £5,000 for each offence as well as £5,932 in costs.
Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for housing Councillor Mahboob Hussain said: “No-one should have to live in the sort of squalor experienced by tenants at Trafalgar Court.
“While there are many excellent landlords in the borough, the action of the landlord running Trafalgar Court Property Limited brings the sector into disrepute.
“The council will continue to take action to ensure that tenants live in quality accommodation.”
Kerry Bolister, Sandwell Council’s area director for homes and communities, said: “It is a shame that the in-actions of Trafalgar Court Property Limited has led to the council having to use their own resources to take action.
“I am pleased the magistrate has recognised this in the awarding of costs and I thank the tenants of Trafalgar Court and the Private Sector Housing Team for pursuing the case.“
