Mr Sangat Singh of Unit 8B, Lydon Close, Penarth Road, Cardiff pleaded guilty at Cardiff Magistrates Court on January 16 for failing to abide by a Prohibition Order under the Housing Act 2004 and was ordered to pay £2530.
Following an inspection of 25 Comet Street in Adamsdown in March 2008, a Prohibition Order was served on Mr Singh as the property didn’t have an adequate fire escape as well as a lack of natural light and ventilation. The Prohibition Order instructed Mr Singh that the property was unfit for human habitation until the identified hazards were resolved.
A complaint was then received from tenants at the property on June 20 2013 and following an inspection it was revealed that although the fire precautions had been rectified, the lack of natural light and ventilation had not. As the Prohibition Order was still in place, the property was being rented illegally, so the Council took the necessary measures against the landlord.
Although the Court gave credit to Mr Singh for his early guilty plea the Magistrates also took account of previous convictions for failing to comply with statutory notices on his privately rented properties.
Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Community, Neighbourhood Regeneration and Social Justice, said:
“This is the second prosecution in the last few weeks and should send out a strong message to the minority of private sector landlords who aren’t providing an adequate service that the Council will take action when necessary.
“Although Mr Singh did engage with the Council, which we obviously encourage, the remedial action proposed was unacceptable. It took five years to complete the works before the Prohibition Order was lifted in January 2013, but during this time the property was rented illegally and the landlord received rent. The Council intervened and prosecuted as the living conditions were completely inadequate for those living at the property.”
