A Nottingham-based landlord who refused to implement improvements to dangerous living conditions in their buy-to-let property has been hit with a £1000 fine.

A variety of category 1 and 2 hazards were found in landlord Haroon Karim’s property, violations that included dangerous stairs, structural collapse, excessive cold, damp, mould and fire hazards.

Other major violations such as food safety and sanitation and drainage issues were also discovered in the property.

Leading from these discoveries, Karim was then served an Improvement Notice, which he failed to comply with, exposing the tenants of this property to these hazards for a period of time that was unacceptable.

In addition, there was a breach of the HMO licence conditions in that the landlord had failed to provide adequate amenities within the kitchen that were suitable for the number of the tenants living in the property. These breaches included failing to provide a microwave oven or an additional cooker; failing to provide an adequate number of electrical sockets and failing to provide sufficient amenities for food preparation and washing up by not providing an additional sink or dishwasher. An extensive list by anyone's standards.

Karim pleaded guilty to two offences under the Housing Act 2004, failing to comply with Housing of Multiple Occupancy licence conditions and failing to comply with an Improvement Notice. 

A local authority spokesperson said: “We will only take legal action as a last resort, if a landlord doesn’t not work with us to improve their property. Most landlords are good landlords, but there are some, like Mr Karim, who give others a bad name. I would urge tenants to contact us if they have issues with their home, that aren’t being sorted.”

Nottingham Magistrates Court ordered Karim to pay a fine and legal costs totalling £1001.42.