Cardiff City Council has prosecuted a private company for breaches under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and Housing Act 2004, at a hearing at Cardiff Magistrates Court on July 25.
Swanstar UK Limited own a ground floor commercial premises at Clifton Street, Adamsdown, Cardiff, comprising 2 self contained flats on the first floor and a further 2 flats on the second floor. Following an inspection of the properties by the Council in September 2013, a notice under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 was served on Swanstar, in order to obtain full details of those with an interest in the property.
A further notice, under Section 235 of the Housing Act 2004 was served in order to obtain documents relating to the proper operation of systems at the property including, gas and electrical installations and fire alarms.
Legal proceedings were initiated against Swanstar UK after the company failed to comply with the notices within the permitted timescale. Following an initial hearing where the company pleaded not guilty, the case proceeded to trial.
The Council agreed to proceed only in relation to the Section 235 Notice after submission of information by the company in relation to the section 16 notice. Swanstar UK pleaded guilty to the breaches and they were fined a total of £1,200 and ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £1,592.
Councillor Bob Derbyshire, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Regulatory Services said:
“The Council has acted where a private landlord has failed to properly protect the health, safety and welfare of the tenants. The council will continue to take whatever steps are necessary in order to protect individuals in the face of rogue landlords who place them at risk.”
