A negligent landlord in Leeds has been fined £2800 and ordered to pay costs of £2993 plus a £15 victim surcharge, after failing to comply with an improvement notice.
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Mr Rajinder Singh Digwa failed to carry out essential maintenance works on a privately rented home. He continually disregarded the safety of his tenant by neglecting to install a hard wired alarm and a fire door. Mr Digwa additionally failed to provide an electrical safety certificate for the property.
The tenant was also left without a functioning boiler for four months, whilst he awaited Mr Digwa to organise a repair.
Mr Digwa pleaded guilty at Bradford Magistrates Court, earlier this week.
The Council were alerted to these issues by the tenant, who had previously informed the landlord of the serious state of disrepair within the property. Officers from Leeds City Council’s Housing Regulation Team attempted to contact Mr Digwa on numerous occasions via telephone and letter regarding the essential works required. Mr Digwa failed to respond to these requests.
An inspection of the property was carried out by the Council, identifying a number of shortcomings, including inadequate fire precautions, mould and electrical hazards. These shortcomings were considered a serious risk to the health and safety of the tenant.
Improvement notices were served for these hazards on in October 2011 for the works to be completed by January 2012. Works were undertaken in early January 2013, almost 12 months later.
Councillor Peter Gruen, Leeds City Council executive board member for neighbourhoods, planning and support services said:
“Tenants have a right to live in a property free from danger to their health and safety. The Council works with private landlords to help improve their properties and will only serve legal notices when all other options have failed.
“I hope this case will send a clear message to private landlords. They are obliged to fulfil their responsibilities and failure to do so will result in their successful prosecution.
Disregarding the law by placing tenants in dangerous living conditions is not only unacceptable but entirely illegal.”
