A READING landlord has been prosecuted by the Council after failing to properly maintain one of his properties, despite previous repeated warnings last year to do so.
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Ravinder Singh Takhar – who rented out the property at 44 Zinzan Street – pleaded guilty to seven charges at Reading Magistrates Court on 24th October 2013, including failing to maintain smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, a heavily overgrown back garden, filthy and torn carpets in the communal areas and failing to advise the Council of his interest in the property, as requested in a notice.
The landlord was initially charged with 15 offences of breaching houses in multiple occupation regulations and failing to advise the Council of his interest in the property, in accordance with a notice following repeated visits by Reading Borough Council’s Environmental Health Team, including on 12 September 2012, 6th November 2012 and 16th April 2013. On the morning of the court case, 24th October 2013, Mr Takhar opted to plead guilty to seven of those 15 offences.
Mr Takhar, of Templewood Lane, Farnham Common, Buckinghamshire, was fined a total of £12,000 and he will have to pay full costs to the Council of £4,982.49, plus a victim surcharge of £120, bringing the total to £17,102.49.
Reading Magistrates Court heard that when Mr. Takhar’s defence referred to his financial circumstances in mitigation on behalf of Mr Takhar, Reading Borough Council’s barrister handed the court a document – The Asian Rich List 2005 – which alleged Mr Takhar was ranked 248th on the list and believed to be worth £6.5 million.
Councillor Richard Davies, Lead Member for Housing at Reading Borough Council, said:
“More than one in four households in the town are made up of private rented accommodation so it is only right that the Council takes strong action against landlords who choose to neglect their responsibilities to their tenants. Fortunately, Reading has a great deal of good landlords but all landlords should be aware the Council will take strong action where it is necessary. My congratulations to Council officers for this successful prosecution.”
