A landlord has been ordered to pay costs after a court found that a property he was managing was unsafe and in poor repair.
Landlord Antone Spiroc-tica, 61, of Hanover Road, Weymouth, was yesterday (12/9) given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £3,497.40 in costs and a victim surcharge of £20 after being prosecuted by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council for offences relating to the condition and management of a house in multiple occupation.
He appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to five offences relating to the property in Hanover Road. The court heard that an environmental health officer visited the 11-bedroom house on 13 May 2016 and found that it was overcrowded and in poor repair. It was being used to house 19 tenants.
Mr Spiroc-tica admitted one offence under the Housing Act 2004, namely that he was managing the property without a House in Multiple Occupation Licence.
He also admitted four offences of breaching the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006. Some of the offences related to matters of fire safety as well as general disrepair. Weymouth & Portland Borough Council worked with Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service on parts of this case.
After the case, Councillor Gill Taylor, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council’s Housing Briefholder, said: “Landlords that let dangerous and run-down accommodation must and will be prosecuted. This sends out a strong message that we will not tolerate dangerous and poor accommodation for residents.
“However, I’d also like to stress that prosecutions are a last resort. We are committed to working with landlords so they are made aware of problems and know their responsibilities. We can advise, guide and assist them to improve their properties. However if landlords refuse to improve, we will take action.”
