Two city landlords have pleaded guilty to failing to put right a string of housing offences at a property in Whitmore Reans.
Balwant Rai, aged 41 and Raj Kumari, aged 53, both of Bilston, pleaded guilty to failing to put right serious health and safety problems at a property in Carter Road.
The pair last week received fines and costs of more than £5,800 each at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court.
Now, Wolverhampton council hope the conviction of the landlords will act as a strong deterrent to others who put their tenants’ health and safety at risk.
The property, then occupied by a family of five, including three children, was inspected by council housing officers in February, and an improvement notice was issued.
Further inspection revealed the landlords had failed to deal with fire hazards, electrical issues, food safety concerns, a lack of drainage, and the large build up of waste to the rear of the property.
As a result of the condition of the property, and the risk it posed to the tenants, the council also served a Prohibition Order, which came into effect on July 11, 2016, to prevent it being lived in.
Councillor Peter Bilson, deputy leader and cabinet member for city assets, said: “We are determined to bring to task landlords who are not complying with housing laws.
“Our residents’ health and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us and this case should act as a lesson to all landlords in the private sector.”
Following the conviction of the pair, the council has this month launched a new five-star rating system to improve the quality of housing in the private sector.
The ‘Rent with Confidence’ star rating system for private landlords’ aims to encourage greater customer choice and raise living standards.
Source: Express & Star
