A rogue landlord who left a family of eight in damp and dangerous conditions has been told to pay more than £3,000 by magistrates.
Mark Grant Jackson, of Rhyd-Y-Penau Road, Cyncoed in Cardiff, didn’t have a selective licence for the Tow Law property in County Durham which he rented to the couple and their six children between April 2022 and October 2023 through his company Welcome Homes.
Peterlee Magistrates Court heard how the tenants had repeatedly reported multiple problems, but that work was never carried out. They paid for many repairs and lived in fear that the roof would detach, or the chimney stack would collapse during high winds. The damp was so bad it affected the children’s health.
Durham County Council’s housing team found a number of hazards during an inspection, including damp and mould, excess cold, risk of entry by intruders, electrical hazards, issues with sanitation and drainage, and risks of falls associated with stairs and steps.
Welcome Homes was sent an improvement notice and four days before the deadline, contacted the council to say the tenant had been offered a new home and the property was being put on the market. The tenant confirmed that no work had been done by the time they moved out.
The council’s selective licensing team contacted Jackson multiple times to remind him of the legal requirement to obtain a licence. Officers later learned Welcome Homes had gone into liquidation.
Jackson, 58, did not attend court and the case was proved in his absence. Magistrates imposed a fine of £1,760, a £704 victim surcharge and costs of £674.
Michael Kelleher, head of planning and housing, says the case demonstrates why the selective licensing scheme is so important. He adds: “We hope this prosecution serves as a warning that we will take action against those who fail to fulfil their duties as a landlord.”
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