A couple who rented out their property in the East End of London have been fined more than £14,000.
The five-story terraced house in Bow Road, Bow failed to meet security, fire and electrical safety laws, according to the East London Advertiser.
Landlords Samuel Jenyo and his wife Olusola, from Harrier Way in Beckton, failed to carry out “essential security, fire safety and electrical work” and were found guilty, along with their company SAB Associates, by Thames magistrates of offences under the Housing Act.
The inadequacies of the property were first brought to the landlords' attention in May 2011. These safety issues had not been dealt with sufficiently in the house that had multiple tenants, when environmental officers inspected it more than 18 months later.
In addition, the couple were unable to provide an electrician's certificate and there were still electrical faults, while the fire alarm system and fire doors did not meet the required safety regulations.
Mr Jenyo was fined £5,800, Mrs Jenyo £4,300 and SAB Associates £4,300. Total fines and surcharges topped £14,760.
Magistrate Fitz Allen-Howard commented: “Any diligent landlord should be aware of obvious faults like scorched electrical sockets.”
DUH!!!
Landlords have a moral duty and legal obligation to make sure homes they rent out are safe.
At the end of 2013, the government announced it would give councils across the country a joint fund of more than £4 million to help tackle rogue landlords.
Commercial buildings, non-domestic and multi-occupancy premises in England and Wales are already forced to undertake a 'suitable and sufficient' fire risk assessment carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
While the overwhelming majority of premises do this, if the assessment is thought to have been carried out to an insufficient extent, the Responsible Person can face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.
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