On Wednesday, December 11, housing landlord Alfred Katona, 75, of 67 Chadwick Road, Westcliff admitted five breaches of The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006.
 |
| [relatedPosts title=”Related Posts”] |
|
|
He was fined £18, 500 (£3,700 per charge), ordered to pay Southend-on-Sea Borough Council costs of £1005 and a £120 victim surcharge for the breaches which occurred at 82 Station Road, Southend.
Mr Katona, who was unrepresented at the hearing, was instructed by magistrates that full payment was required the same day. They heard he had breached regulations covering fire and electrical safety, water supply and drainage, fixtures, fittings and appliances, information to occupiers and maintenance of living accommodation.
During the hearing, magistrates paid particular attention to photographs presented by the Council showing a padlocked fire exit, damaged electrical sockets, and a faulty fire alarm at the property which Mr Katona purchased in 1980.
Counsel for Southend-on-Sea Borough Council advised magistrates a prohibition order remains in force at 82 Station Road and the property is now unoccupied.
David Colwill, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Private Sector Housing Team Leader said: “The conditions at the property were totally unacceptable and posed a significant threat to the tenants. And as a result of intelligence gained, the remainder of Mr Katona’s rented portfolio in the borough is subject to Housing Health & Safety Rating System inspections.
“It is unacceptable for any landlord to allow tenants to live in unsafe conditions. This prosecution serves as a timely reminder that the Council will robustly pursue irresponsible and criminal landlords to the full extent of the law with hefty penalties for those found guilty.”
Councillor Lesley Salter, Southend-on-Sea Borough Council’s Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing added: “The penalty imposed on Mr Katona gives a very clear message to landlords that the Council will not tolerate poor housing conditions, especially those that could endanger tenants’ health and safety.
