West Northamptonshire Council's successful prosecution of the landlord followed an investigation by it's private sector housing team.

The properties were inspected under housing warrants after complaints were made to the council concerning noise nuisance, fly-tipping and the accumulation of waste. All of the properties were found to have significant housing standards defects.

At the sentencing hearing the District Judge said that the vulnerable tenants "had a reasonable expectation that the landlord would provide a safe home". The council, meanwhile, says that without its intervention "nothing would have been done to improve living conditions for the tenants".

The court imposed a fine on the landlord of £100,000 and ordered him to pay council costs of £15,000 along with a victim surcharge of £181.

Cllr. Adam Brown, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Housing, Culture and Leisure, said "In this case, it is clear from the complaints received that the landlord had little respect for the tenants or the area in which the property is situated. I hope this prosecution is a warning to all rogue landlords as our Housing Team are committed to making renting safer for our residents .... ".

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