A landlord with a string of more than 5,000 rental properties across the UK has been fined a whopping £97,000 over the ‘serious and deliberate’ failure to manage a block of flats in Sheffield.

Gunes - ‘Gary’ - Ata was found guilty of multiple offences under the Housing Act in connection with St Mary’s House (main image) - 101 student flats he manages on London Road, reports The Sheffield Star.

‍He was initially hit with 24 financial penalties for 145 breaches of regulations, totalling £158,660, by Sheffield Council last July. Ata appealed, and the figure was cut by £61,637 at a first tier property tribunal.

The huge fine followed four inspections by council officials which flagged up issues around fire safety signs, general safety, repairs and maintenance.

“There is clear evidence that the occupiers of the property have suffered harm. They have had to live in a property that is very much substandard and have had to put up with the presence of rats," the tribunal judge said.

“The tribunal determines that Mr Ata has intentionally breached the regulations. There has been a systematic, serious and deliberate failure to comply with his legal duties.”

Successful appeal

The fine was reduced after the landlord appealed for offences to be cancelled relating to filth and issues including fire risk due to residents using portable heaters because the central heating wasn’t working. He also said a long list of faults found by council officials did not amount to offences and that tenants had hindered him in conducting management duties.

The tribunal heard that Ata, trading as Noble Design And Build based in Telford, has about 500 flats or rooms for rent at his properties in Sheffield and owns about 5,000 flats in other cities in England.

In 2022, he was successfully prosecuted by Sheffield Council for repeatedly failing to provide his leaseholder tenants with the detailed information they were entitled to when presented with their service charges.