A landlord of a home with unsafe electrics has been issued with a significant financial penalty of £7,500 by Dorset Council.
Following a complaint about the property, officers from the council’s Housing Standards Team found the property to be in serious disrepair with an electrical system so dangerous it had to be disconnected. The Housing Standards Team has a great track record of working positively with the many responsible landlords to help get rented homes improved. In this case the landlord, who can’t be named for legal reasons, failed to comply even when they were advised of their legal duties.
Dorset Council’s Housing Standards Team works with landlords wherever possible and offers a range of advice and assistance to help them comply with their legal duties. They also run a popular landlord’s partnership, which aims to keep landlords ‘up to date’ with the latest legal and other requirements. In a small number of cases however, enforcement action is necessary, especially if a landlord fails to maintain their rented property and it poses a risk to the health of the tenants.
Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, said:
“We have many very responsible landlords in Dorset, who provide invaluable rented homes. We want to do what we can to encourage them through our landlord’s partnership, to continue to provide excellent accommodation.
“In cases where landlords do not follow the rules, ignore our advice, and rent substandard or outright dangerous accommodation, we will not hesitate to act. By using new powers and issuing a large financial penalty of £7,500, which was paid up by the landlord, we took fair and necessary action, which reflects the seriousness of the case. I hope this fine will reassure tenants and our responsible landlords that we are committed to driving out rogue landlords and that it acts as a clear deterrent, that Dorset Council will not tolerate poorly managed rented homes.”
Landlords Partnership: If you are a landlord and wish to join the Council’s landlords partnership apply on our website.
The partnership is free to join by any landlord with property in Dorset, you will receive regular emails on renting in Dorset and hear about events we are running in your area. The next landlord’s forum is scheduled for 18 May.
Apply for tickets for this free event by emailing [email protected]
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