A landlord has received a five-figure fine for failing to carry out essential improvements at a damp Barrow Island rental property.
This was despite multiple warnings from Westmorland and Furness council.
A fine of £10,250 was issued to the landlord of a one-bedroom property for failing to comply with statutory housing requirements to keep the home safe and fit to live in.
The council had been made aware of damp and other disrepair at the property in May.
Following an urgent inspection, a Hazard Awareness Notice was served, advising the landlord to commission a damp survey.
The council wanted the landlord to identify the underlying cause of the damp, and undertake appropriate remedial works.
When the works were not carried out, the council escalated its action and served a formal Improvement Notice. B
y law, this notice required the landlord to complete the necessary investigations and property improvements by the end of July.
Despite the formal notice, the landlord took what the council calls “no meaningful action” within the agreed compliance period.
Further visits by officers confirmed that the Improvement Notice had not been complied with and the issues remained unresolved.
The council determined that formal enforcement action was appropriate and the fine issued to the Warrington-based landlord.
The landlord’s identity has not been released.
The landlord has now started to address the outstanding works at the property.
This article is taken from Landlord Today