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Fine for landlord who let property with health and safety problems
A landlord who let a property with serious health and safety hazards to vulnerable adults has pleaded guilty of failing to implement satisfactory management standards.
The poor conditions at John Kieran’s property in Birkenhead were discovered as a result of an inspection by housing officers from Wirral Council. Now Keiran has been fined £1,350 for offences in breach of the Housing Act 2004.
He had let out the HMO to three vulnerable adults.
The property had no fire precaution measures, dangerous electrical wiring with exposed live wiring, serious damp and mould growth, boarded up windows and poor bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Council officers described the property as “one of the worst cases of poor housing conditions they had come across.”
Kieran confirmed to a court that the property is now empty and he committed not to place further occupants at the property until he has carried out a full refurbishment.
A council spokesman says he is disappointed that the fine “doesn’t reflect the appalling conditions that these vulnerable people have had to live with” but that he hopes it acts as a deterrent to landlords who leave properties in this condition.
