A city landlord who rented out a property to students for over 13 years has been hit with a massive fine for failing to maintain it properly.
Peter Teifion Jones of 110 Newton Road, Mumbles, pleaded guilty to a string of offences relating to poor management of an eight bedroom property at 34 Bryn Road, Brynmill.
In total, Mr Jones pleaded guilty to 12 charges and has been fined £8,500, and ordered to pay costs of £2,287 plus a £15 victim surcharge.
The fine came after Swansea Council Environmental Health Officers visited the house in multiple occupation (HMO) in July 2009 and found the property to be in a very poor state.
By law, landlords of HMOs in Swansea have to be licensed with the Council. The licence requires the landlord to maintain the HMO to a certain standard and ensure the personal safety of tenants.
Officers gave Mr Jones until November 2009 to carry out improvements. However, he failed to do so and legal action was taken.
In their sentencing the Magistrates took into account Mr. Jones’ guilty plea and mitigation presented by his barrister, but took a very serious view of his management failings which included failing to maintain fire alarms and equipment and means of escape in case of fire.
John Hague, Swansea’s Cabinet Member for Environment said, “This is an excellent result. The level of fine shows the seriousness of these offences.
“Landlords who rent out property have a duty to manage them well to protect the health and safety of the tenants.
“Whilst Swansea Council is keen to work with good landlords we will continue to use our legal powers with those who fall below the standards required.
The total list of offences include:
- Failure to comply with Improvement notice – £1,500
- Failure to maintain means of escape in good order and repair – £2,000
- Failure to maintain fire fighting equipment and alarms in good working order – £2,000
- Failure to maintain common parts in good and clean decorative repair – no separate charge
- Failure to maintain common parts in safe and working condition – £750
- Failure to ensure stair covering was safely fixed and in good repair – no separate charge
- Failure to maintain fixtures, fittings or appliances in good and safe repair and clean working order – £500
- Failure to ensure garden kept in safe and tidy condition – no separate charge
- Failure to maintain boundary wall in good and safe repair – £500
- Failure to maintain internal structure of living accommodation in good repair – £500
- Failure to comply with licence conditions (no logbook) – £750
- Failure to comply with s235 – no separate charge
