A landlord has been fined £15,700 and is facing four criminal convictions for failing to apply for a selective license and fix several major issues within two Durham homes.
One of the properties was found in a state of disrepair, with no heating or hot water due to the boiler becoming unserviceable, as well as problems relating to damp and mould and a partial ceiling collapse in a bedroom.
Furthermore, the staircase banister was too low, the toilet cistern was cracked and broken, and there was a lack of carbon monoxide and smoke alarms within the property.
The second property was similarly in a state of disrepair, with the tenant having issues relating to a large damp area on the kitchen wall underneath the bathroom.
Despite an improvement notice being served to the landlord, as well as a notice regarding each properties selective licence requirements, he did not act upon any of them.
Sukraj Barham did not appear in court and was found guilty of all four charges in absence.
He was fined a total of £12,600, ordered to pay costs of £1,343.69, and a victim surcharge of £2,000.
This case was the first prosecution under selective licensing, which was brought in to improve conditions in the PRS.
Lynn Hall, strategic housing manager for County Durham, said: "We are really pleased at the high financial penalty imposed in this case which represents our first selective licensing prosecution.
"We know the vast majority of landlords in County Durham look after their properties and their tenants, but selective licensing is there for the minority that don't.
"[Sukraj Burham] failed to respond to legal orders to carry out work or to get a licence in respect of either property. and we hope the sentence imposed will act as a reminder to both him and other landlords of the consequences of not doing so."
