A landlord in Telford is to pay a huge fine after his local council took him to court over a substandard property he rented out within the town.

39-year-old Hussan Redha Hussain, was brought to court by Telford & Wrekin Council’s private sector housing team after it was made aware of damp and mould at a property in Briarwood, Brookside (main image), and must now pay fines, costs and compensation totalling just over £20,000.

Following inspections, his property was found to be in disrepair and the council issued Hussain with an improvement notice under section 12 of the Housing Act 2004.

He failed to act on the improvement notice and failed to install smoke alarms in the property.

Hussain then ignored a s16 Requisition for Information Notice and delayed issuing gas safety and electrical installation certificates for the property.

After being found guilty in his absence at Telford Magistrates’ Court in December last year for breaching both notices, the case was adjourned for sentencing.

At Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court last week the judge ordered Hussain to pay a fine of £15,000 for breaching the improvement notice and a £1,000 fine for failing to comply with the s16 notice.

Victim surcharge

In addition, Hussain was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000 and all the prosecution costs totalling £2,001.85.

“In this case, the landlord’s failure in his legal duties clearly put the safety of tenants at risk. We will not stand for this behaviour and will not hesitate to take action when we are made aware of issues,” says Councillor Richard Overton (pictured), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing & Enforcement.

“Thanks to the action of our private sector housing team, this rogue landlord is now facing a hefty fine, which demonstrates just how serious this case was.

“If anyone is renting within the private sector and concerned about the safety of their home, I’d urge them to get in touch with our private sector housing team.”