A landlord who failed to keep his property in a safe condition and exposed his tenants to ‘excess cold’ was fined in court, following a prosecution by Harrow Council.
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The London Borough of Harrow, Private Sector Housing Enforcement and Environmental Health team, took action against the landlord after he repeatedly failed to make the necessary improvements.
The case was heard at Brent Magistrates Court on 15th September 2011. Mr. Mathew Richard Tapper, of Headstone Drive, Harrow, was directed to pay a total fine and costs of £3,505 for non-compliance with two Section 11 Housing Act notices.
The court heard that the landlord had first been visited by the private sector housing team in September 2010 following a complaint of disrepair. They noted an excess cold hazard due to defects at the property. This, coupled with other defects, posed a potential threat to the tenant’s health, such as from respiratory diseases.
The landlord was given a number of opportunities to fix the defects highlighted and avoid further action and prosecution, but he failed to do so.
Portfolio Holder for Environment and Community Safety, Cllr Phillip O’Dell said:
“The safety of our residents will always be our number one priority. In this case the landlord involved made no attempt to fix up the property to an acceptable standard or deal with the hazards. Council officers had no choice but to bring him before the courts. We are committed to standing up for and protecting Harrow residents and will continue to do this where necessary.”
