Syed Junid Ul Hassan Shah – a landlord based in Southend-on-Sea – has been served with fines and costs amounting to almost £6,000 after permitting his tenants to sleep on a bed that was placed in an outdoor shed.
The case was first highlighted by the local council’s planning enforcement department in summer last year and, as a result, their colleagues in the housing department ensured that the property was inspected.
Mr Shah was given several prohibition orders for failing in his duty of tenant care, with poor fire detection systems at the property and a shed being let as a bedroom being two of the worst offences.
Less than six months after receiving the orders, the landlord claimed that he had rectified all the issues brought to his attention.
However, a further council inspection in November 2014 revealed that the improvements had been insignificant and the garden shed was still being used as a bedroom.
Sufficient evidence was found at the property to show that more people were living there than permission had been given for.
The council contacted Mr Shah, outlining the requirement for him to obtain a House in Multiple Occupation license (HMO), but their communications were ignored.
Basildon Magistrates’ Court found Mr Shah guilty of failing to comply with three prohibition orders as well as failing to obtain a HMO license.
A £750 fine was given to the landlord for each prohibition order offence, with a further £1,000 fine for his HMO failings.
David Norman, housing councillor for Southend-on-Sea, said: “There is simply no excuse for this sort of behaviour and I am delighted that this landlord has been brought to book.
“No one should be living in conditions like this, where there is little if any regard for safety or the welfare of tenants.”