A property management company which turned off the electricity supply to two privately rented flats in Hull has been fined a total of £2,000 plus council costs of £600 and a victim surcharge of £15.
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Urban 1 (Hull) Limited, based in Middlesbrough, which managed the two flats in the Spring Bank area of Hull, failed to attend Hull Magistrates Court on 20 June 2013 and was therefore convicted in their absence of two separate offences of committing acts likely to interfere with the peace or comfort of the residential occupier, under Section 1(3a) of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.
Hull City Council’s Private Housing Environmental Health Department inspected each flat, after they had received complaints that the electricity supply to each flat had been turned off for several days, and at a location in the property to which the occupants had no access. The lack of electricity supply had left the occupants of each flat without lighting, heating, provision of hot water or cooking facilities.
Council officers made contact with representatives from Urban 1 (Hull) Limited to request that the electricity supply be reinstated to each flat. The electricity supply was subsequently reinstated the following day.
The company was also convicted in their absence and fined a total of £1,000 for two offences of failing to comply with a Requisition for Information under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, having failed to provide ownership details and details of other parties with an interest in the flats at 12 Spring Street.
Councillor John Black, Portfolio Holder for Council Infrastructure, said:
“We have a duty to protect private sector tenants from harassment by landlords particularly where the withdrawal of services is used to attempt to illegally evict tenants.
“This enforcement action proves that we are committed to this and take our role seriously.”
