Landlord Prosecuted for Not Complying with Improvement Notices

Nasir Ali, a Rugby landlord, living in Manor Road has been fined after the Rugby Borough Council undertook the 2nd prosecution against him. Mr. Ali has failed to comply with 12 improvement notices; in August 2007 he was prosecuted for the same offences and was £2,500 plus court costs. However, the landlord failed to comply with the improvement notices, associated with the rental property, Bath Street house, after the 1st prosecution and the Council started the 2nd prosecution. The improvement notices were sent to the landlord after the property inspection, during which Council officers have identified a need in the number of repair works required to meet the safety standards. Mr. Ali failed to conduct the repair works in a specified period. The Council prosecution against the landlord was held on the basis of the Housing Act 2004, which allows for prosecution in case of a failure to meet the requirements of the Improvement Notices. Mr. Ali was found guilty and faced a fine of £3,600 plus £551 in court costs. Rugby Borough Council Head of Environmental Services, Sean Lawson, claimed that it is the Council’s duty to protect all tenants, regardless of whether they live in Council- or privately-owned properties. He added that the Council has already taken Ali, the landlord, to Court nearly 2 years ago, but he failed to make any improvements to the property. Mr. Lawson is determined that all landlords have to clearly understand that the Council has enough power to prosecute them for a failure to comply with notices and requirements. He added, however, that the Council’s major goal is to improve the quality of services in the residential property sector and that is why the Council encourages all landlords to contact it in case any questions arise.