Baminy Suresh, 40, and husband Suresh Thanabalsingham, 46, both of Cheapside, were found guilty at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court of breaching improvement notices issued by the local authority.
Despite overseeing a property portfolio valued at more than £1.2 million and generating an estimated annual income of £211,000, the pair neglected essential maintenance across multiple rental homes, prompting legal action.
Bassetlaw District Council launched an investigation after receiving complaints about unsafe and substandard conditions at two rental homes, with concerns raised that the environment was putting tenants’ health and wellbeing at serious risk.
During an initial inspection, officers uncovered 14 serious hazards across the properties, including fire risks, unsafe electrical systems, structural concerns, and a significant build-up of household waste.
Despite being issued formal improvement notices under the Housing Act 2004—requiring repairs to be completed by set deadlines—a follow-up visit revealed that none of the mandated work had been done.
Months later, inspectors returned to find a new central heating system had been installed at one property, but with exposed pipework posing a burn hazard. At the second property, essential repairs remained unfinished and the accumulated rubbish was still untouched.
At the hearing, both landlords were asked to disclose their financial circumstances but failed to provide the required documentation. As a result, Suresh Thanabalsingham was fined £70,000, with an additional £28,000 victim surcharge and £1,982 in legal costs.
Baminy Suresh received a £50,000 fine, a £20,000 victim surcharge, and was also ordered to pay £1,982 in costs.
Lynne Schuller, Cabinet Member for Housing and Estates at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The effects of living in poor housing conditions can significantly impact tenants’ mental and physical health as well as their overall quality of life and life chances. Landlords have a responsibility to their tenants to provide homes that are safe and warm to live in, a basic right.”
However the two landlords still have the right to appeal the fines at the Crown Court.