Kamran Qurban, a landlord who let seven bedrooms of a house to families, couples, and single professionals, has been fined £19,000 for disregarding housing rules.
The large fine has been imposed for a number of reasons, including the fact that Mr Qurban failed to register the property as a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) or obtain the necessary HMO licence.
Nigel Parsons, an environmental officer for Aylesbury Vale District Council, inspected the property and found numerous breaches of regulations for fire safety, hygiene, sanitation, drainage and overcrowding.
The overall scale of neglect evident at the property, which included rat droppings found under the bath, was combined with no smoke alarm, fire doors or appropriate fire extinguishers.
Despite warnings from Mr Parsons following further inspections, Mr Qurban did not follow guidance on how to rectify the many issues present at the property.
One tenant reportedly moved out of her accommodation in the building after discovering a live rat in her bedroom.
Prosecutor Kate Round highlighted that Mr Qurban only reluctantly presented valid gas and electric safety certificates after numerous requests for them by the authorities.
Mr Qurban failed to show at the hearing where he was sentenced for five offences and fined £15,000 for failing to obtain a HMO licence, and a further £1,000 for each of the four housing regulations he breached.
Costs of £5,521 and a victim surcharge of £120 have also been billed to Mr Qurban, meaning that he will have to pay a total of £25,521 for failing to follow housing regulations.