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Police raid on HMO leads to prosecution and £5,000-plus bill
Original Author: Graham Norwood
There has been yet another prosecution over an unsafe house in multiple occupation.
Syed Masum Ali appeared in Stafford Magistrates Court and was prosecuted under the Housing Act 2004 for contravening prohibition orders and an improvement notice at the property in Cannock.
Ali continued to let the accommodation to several unrelated people, including a young couple with a baby, whilst serious hazards such as inadequate fire safety were in place.
Environmental health officers from Cannock Chase council carried out an early morning raid with Staffordshire police in October last year and found inadequate means of escape, inadequate fire separation between the accommodation and the restaurant and some occupants were without any kitchen or bathroom facilities.
Ali was sentenced to pay a fine of £4,500, £560 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge.
A spokesman for the council said that where “unacceptable standards are not properly addressed” officers will pursue enforcement action against those responsible.
