Rogue Dudley landlord fined thousands after safety failings
A rogue landlord has been fined more than £150,000 after failing to rectify safety hazards in their property.
Latif Rehman was fined a total of £151,070 by Wolverhampton Magistrates Court for breaches of an emergency prohibition order served in relation to a house of multiple occupation in Dudley.
Council officers originally inspected the three-storey, four-bedroom property following a complaint from one of the tenants in February.
They found numerous hazards relating to fire and electrical safety, as well as risk of entry by intruders and deemed it posed an imminent risk to the safety of its tenants.
Another inspection in April found that insufficient works had been carried out to rectify the problems.
Fire doors still failed to comply with regulations, access to the property was not properly controlled and damp was still present in one of the properties.
Rehman, of Lordswood Road, in Birmingham, was fined £50,000 for each offence and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and a £170 victim surcharge.
The case was brought to court by Dudley Council’s private sector housing team with support from legal services.
Dudley Council's deputy chief executive, Alan Lunt, said: "Landlords are not above the law. They must comply with standards to fulfil their legal responsibility to protect the safety of their tenants.
"This case demonstrates that we take these cases very seriously and will take action against anyone failing to fulfil their obligation."
Dudley Council will now consider applying for a rent repayment order and a banning order against the landlord.
Two years ago Rehman was ordered to pay in excess of £340,000 after illegally converting houses into bedsits.
