16th
Jul 2013
A Reading landlord has been hit with a fine of over £1,000 after contravening rules that had stopped him from being able to rent his flat as it did not have enough natural light.
- Under Housing Health and Safety Rating System [HHSRS Part 1 2004 Housing ACT) which is the definiion of a property being fit for purpose. This breach would be (B) Psychological Requirements - this defines Space, Security, Light and Noise - see The 29 Hazards- HHSRS
The landlord first received a prohibition order from Reading Council in December 2011 as the basement flat that he was renting out had only a pane of glass in the front door and a tiny window next to it that allowed any natural light into the apartment.
The landlord was caught breaching the prohibition order [see 29 HHSRS Hazards] when he rented out the flat nine months later for a four month period. Not only did he receive a fine of £1,200 he was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120, as well as £603 for legal costs by Reading Magistrates on June 27th when admitting he had failed to follow the order under the Housing Act 2004.
Borough housing leader, Cllr Richard Davies, said: "Reading is working hard to help drive up standards in the private rented sector for the very many tenants in the town. More than one in four households in Reading are private rented sector households, and whilst the vast majority of landlords adhere to the law there are unfortunately some which the council has no option but to take action against.
"Prosecutions such as these serve as a good reminder to all landlords of their responsibilities to their tenants. I understand that in the case of this particular property, further action is now being taken by the council's planning enforcement team to return the flat to commercial use, and that is also good news."
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